Bailey County judge arrested

Bailey County District Judge Sherri Harrison has been arrested, then released on bond, facing one count each of the misdemeanor charges of official oppression, furnishing alcohol to a minor and criminal trespass, according to documents from the 287th District Court and Bailey County.

Harrison was indicted on Aug. 31 by a grand jury on the charge of official oppression. On the same date, complaints were filed in Bailey County by Sgt. Toby Catlin, a Texas state trooper, on charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor and criminal trespass.

Calls and emails to Harrison’s office on Friday and Monday seeking comment have not been returned.

The indictment alleges that Harrison, acting as Bailey County judge, on May 13, mistreated a woman, saying "she would make sure her partner got jail time," knowing that such threats were unlawful. 

Harrison retains her judge position, and her term as judge is scheduled to end in January, since she was defeated by Basil Nash in the March 2022 primary election.  Harrison has held the Bailey County judge seat since 2005, when she was appointed to fill an unexpired term.  She won multiple re-election bids over 17 years.

Harrison also faces a “petition and suit” to remove her from her county judge office filed on June 21 by Bailey County AttorneyMichaela Kee,

The petition, filed in June, listed incompetence characterized by “gross ignorance” and “gross carelessness” in discharging her duties, official misconduct and intoxication “on or off duty” as causes for Harrison’s removal.

The petition also alleges that Harrison went to a dugout at a Little League baseball game on May 13 without child-protection authorization, saying she was helping to arrange baseball bats, and would not leave despite being asked to leave several times by a Little League official. The petition states Harrison was showing signs of intoxication and injured one Little Leaguer by stepping on his hand.

When Harrison was later asked to leave the game by a league official, she threatened the league official with the arrest of the official’s “significant other,” the petition states.

The petition also stated Harrison provided alcohol to a 17-year-old, who told the Bailey County Sheriff’s Office that he was provided alcohol about twice a week at the judge’s home, according to the petition.

The petition also stated that Judge Harrison was frequently intoxicated “on or off duty.” In one instance, a Muleshoe police officer said Judge Harrison showed signs of being drunk while signing a warrant, displaying slurred speech and “speaking erratically,” the petition stated.

The petition cites other times when Harrison allegedly exhibited erratic behavior in and out of the courtroom while performing official duties.

The petition stated, “The public has witnessed firsthand this escalating behavior from (Harrison), and it is (Kee’s) concern that if (Harrison) is not immediately suspended and removed from public office, she will continue not only to humiliate Bailey County residents,” but her conduct “will cast a permanent shadow of corruption and depravity on the Bailey County community.”