Indictment indicates sexual harassment in Clay County sheriff’s arrest

HENRIETTA, Texas (KAUZ) - Indictment documents have revealed more on why Clay County Sheriff Jeffrey Lyde was booked into jail Monday night on three charges of official oppression.

The first indictment states Lyde allegedly sexually harassed a Clay County Sheriff’s Office employee by talking about her breasts and the breasts of another employee, while also showing pictures of breasts to her on his computer.

The second indictment states Lyde allegedly sexually harassed another woman by referring to her as “Star Trek” and telling her he “wanted to go where no man has ever gone.”

The third indictment states Lyde sexually harassed another woman when he allegedly slapped her on the buttocks. The Clay County Jail roster stated the county constable as the arresting agency. Lyde quickly bonded out and is no longer on the Clay Co. public jail roster.

Back in December of 2021, Lyde was also charged with official oppression in relation to a different incident. During a press conference, he claimed the county justice of the peace failed to magistrate two individuals within a 48-hour time period. The justice of the peace Lyde is referring to is John Swenson.

Lyde said that on Saturday, July 10, Sarah Johnson and Landon Goad were arrested and brought to jail for assault - family violence charges. Lyde said that same day, Swenson was notified about the arrest.

Swenson was reportedly then back at the jail on Sunday to magistrate two other people but not Johnson and Goad. Lyde said Swenson then came back on Monday, but again did not magistrate neither Johnson nor Goad once again. Lyde’s comments on these charges can be found here. Swenson was unseated in a runoff election against Lanny R. Evans in May 2022. Swenson told News Channel 6 there is no legal basis for Lyde’s accusations.

In October of 2022, Clay county commissioners met to remove the chair of the Clay County Memorial Hospital board. That position was held by Jeff Lyde. The hospital board was prepared to go through a full trial to get Lyde off the board, however the meeting ran short after he resigned. For more on that story, click here.

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