Humility, pent up anger follows Metts' court appearance

Former Sheriff James Metts was formally charged Tuesday.

The drama of his arraignment is thick. A sort of a morality play for sure.

It must be humbling for a man of the stature of Metts to have to go before a judge and be subjected to her orders.

To others it was a comeuppance that was due, and satisfying.

Sheriff James Metts in
March of 2014. 

Metts, after all, was one who was looked up to. He was the name that was dropped for those seeking favor. Metts was a heavy-hitter in a county, and a state, where personal, and professional relationships mean something.

But Metts was in front of Federal Magistrate Judge Shiva Hodge, Tuesday, to take his medicine after he was indicted June 17, for accepting a bribe, and other charges. 

He faces a penalty of up-to 10 years in prison, and fines as high as $250,000.

Tuesday, Metts, who pleaded “not guilty” was ordered to pay $100,000 bond and relinquish possession of his passport and firearms.

For a lawman to have his guns taken is especially significant. Weapons possession is what differentiates the constable from the common. Arms, and the state's permission to use them, symbolizes power and a trust in one citizen over another. His lawyer, Tuesday, expressed a small amount bewilderment at the lack of respect for a man of such standing. But there was no alternative, but to accept the magistrates dictate. 

For 42 years, as sheriff, Metts was on the side of authority. He was one of the big men in the room. He was somebody. There are probably even judges he could intimidate if he wanted. Certainly there were attorneys who envied Metts' position and power.

But with charges being filed against Metts for providing special privileges to aliens, in this country illegally, so much of the pomp has seeped from his persona. Metts role reversal is a relief to some who have had to, reluctantly, take his word as the final arbiter.

How many normally law-abiding, tax paying residents of Lexington County had felt violated by harsh consequences for traffic offenses, deserved, or not. 

Now Metts, who made close to $120,000 a year, and perks, allegedly took money to grin and expunge men who got arrested by the West Columbia Police for driving recklessly. And the jailbirds were not even citizens. Egregious does not begin to describe the feeling Metts' action ignites among his critics.

Debra Gutierrez taunted Metts outside the Columbia courtroom on one of the days he would be judged.

Her outrage, not doubt, epitomizes a contempt held by some others. 

Gutierrez, who feels justice, with Metts' word, had abandoned her after her barely-past-toddler daughter vanished in 1986.

Regardless of her level of reason, Gutierrez had her day in front of the man she held responsible for her torment. And she is not the only one. There are others in Lexington County who feel they have suffered unfairly at Metts' final word. All of those are breathing sighs, feeling justified, as they say “I told you so.” On top of that, three candidates, in a county where challengers to Metts have been scarce, have already offered their names to be sheriff.

Where the legal system leads, no one really knows. Metts has not been convicted of anything.

But with each act of the play, the actors will do as they always have. Metts included.