Love County sheriff pleads not guilty to criminal charges

MARIETTA, Okla. (AP) – Love County Sheriff Joe Russell has pleaded not guilty to charges of maintaining a drug house and harboring a fugitive.

Russell entered the pleas Tuesday in Love County District Court in Marietta.

Russell was arrested last week after Oklahoma's multi-county grand jury recommended he be removed from office for corruption and other alleged violations.

The grand jury alleges Russell maintained a house where methamphetamine was kept and used, that he allowed a woman wanted by police to live in his home, and that he allowed a jail inmate to meet with family members in a deputy's office where evidence is stored with no law officers present.