GATESVILLE – A scheduled civil hearing involving Randy Hathaway, the Gates County Sheriff temporarily removed from office following his arrest in January, has been continued.

Hathaway, arrested Jan. 22 on numerous charges to include obstruction of justice and failure to discharge duties of office, was ousted the same day by order of a superior court judge.

Based on an investigation by the SBI into possible corruption within the Gates County Sheriff’s Office followed by grand jury indictments handed down Jan. 22, District 1 Attorney Andrew Womble petitioned the judge to temporarily remove Hathaway from office effective on the day of his arrest. The judge granted Womble’s petition and then appointed Gates County Deputy Robert Jordan as the interim sheriff.

A removal hearing, a civil procedure, was scheduled on Monday of this week. According to Gates County court records, that hearing was continued. It is now scheduled for July 9.

Hathaway also stands charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

Three of Hathaway’s deputies were also indicted, arrested and charged on Jan. 22.

Captain Glynda Parker and Deputy Lavar Newsome were each charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense. Deputy Tobe Ruffin was charged with four counts of obtaining property by false pretense.

In each case of obtaining property by false pretense, the Sheriff and his three fellow law enforcement officers allegedly signed up for duty as a school security officer on certain dates and did not perform in that capacity; collecting pay for working as a deputy (from the county) and as a school security officer (paid separately by the Gates County Public School District).

Following the arrests of the Sheriff and his three deputies, they were immediately removed from the county’s payroll. Their benefits continued for 30 days.

Gates County Manager Natalie Rountree said on Wednesday of this week, Hathaway and Parker remain on leave without pay and benefits. She stated that Newsome and Ruffin resigned their positions as Gates County deputies on Jan. 31.

The criminal court cases for Hathaway, Parker, Newsome and Ruffin have also been continued. Their new date in court is May 15 to answer their respective criminal charges.

Hathaway, meanwhile, filed Feb. 28 for election as Gates County Sheriff. He is one of four candidates that will meet in the Democratic Primary on May 8.