Sheriff's aide gets jail time
Lynch sentenced to 30 days for giving false testimony

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Hugh Lynch, former top aide to Apache County Sheriff Brian Hounshell, was sentenced Wednesday in Phoenix to 30 days in Navajo County Jail after pleading guilty and no contest to two misdemeanor counts of false swearing before a state grand jury.

According to U.S. Attorney General Terry Goddard's office, Lynch testified in 2005 that he took a trip to Phoenix in 2003 with Sheriff Hounshell to buy himself a new truck. However, the trip was taken to buy a new vehicle for Hounshell's son. Lynch was paid $1,263 in overtime by the county for this trip.

Special Assistant Attorney General Grant Woods, who prosecuted the case, told the court that the sheriff's and Lynch's behavior sent a message to Apache County residents that they were above the law.

"Sentencing Mr. Lynch to time in jail sends a different message that no one is above the law," Woods said.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Thomas O'Toole described Lynch's behavior as "a gross breach of the public's trust," before imposing sentencing.

Lynch, who served as his Community Resource Liaison to the Navajo Nation, also received six months probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $1,263 for the overtime compensation paid by Apache County.

Sheriff Hounshell said he spent time with Lynch after court and "he is standing strong and will live to fight another day." The sheriff said Lynch's jail time came as no surprise, though in a previous court hearing the state said it was not interested in jail time.

"I was surprised to learn that Apache County Manager Delwin Wengert urged the judge to sentence Hugh Lynch to 60 days, but then again, he was trying to fire him without authority before the court proceedings were complete."

"This is so one-sided," the sheriff said. "What about the county officials that haul their golf clubs in their county vehicle to the golf courses, go shopping, haul their families around, drink in county vehicles, and as recent as this week, attend a softball game outside the county at the expense of the county?

"When will they plead guilty, pay a fine, or resign from their job?" Hounshell said.

He views Lynch's sentence as "just another attack on Hugh Lynch, my friend, in their pursuit to remove me from office. Hugh Lynch spent nearly $30,000 to defend himself. We are up against the government with deep pockets."

"After a year of time and effort, and over $160,000 Apache County tax dollars, all they have done is punish this man for his loyal friendship to me," the sheriff said. "I'm grateful Senator Albert Hale was present at the hearing in support of Hugh."

Hounshell said that regardless of what certain media reports say, Lynch "is a victim in this attack."

The sheriff said he and Lynch are proud of their accomplishments on Navajoland. "We never thought providing equal law enforcement service would come to this."

He is anticipating that voters will voice their frustrations 18 months from now in the county elections. "Apache County elected officials are going to have to defend their actions and their indifference to the concerns of the citizens of this county," Hounshell said.

"Everything is in black and white. There will be no hiding. As wounded as we are at this time, I'm so thankful for the continued community support which heals and strengthens us in our continued service to the citizens and true power of Apache County."