(Update 12:24 p.m.)Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett has called in outside investigators to help his office look into issues relating to the destruction of former inmate property at the county jail.

Puett told reporters Friday that what he called “some employee performance issues of concern” were discovered during internal auditing and reviews in late December, 2016. An internal investigation was undertaken, and Puett said that probe uncovered the issues with inmate property.

When we asked whether theft was involved, Puett said they were trying to determine that through the investigation.

Puett says when jail detainees are transferred to the Missouri Department of Corrections to serve a prison sentence, they are asked to sign a form naming one individual to pick up their personal property being held at the jail. He said that property could be just about anything the detainees had in their possession when they were booked into jail, including jewelry and clothing. After seven days, if the property is not retrieved by the person named in the form, it becomes “abandoned,” and is marked for destruction.

Puett said some of the internal investigations have been completed, and the issues resolved, but he said other internal investigations continue, and the Missouri State Highway patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating for potential improprieties.

“We called them in for transparency,” Puett said. He would not offer specific comments on the ongoing investigations.

“Personnel issues are confidential, and I cannot discuss issues relating to the discipline or dismissal of members of the Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “I can’t comment on an ongoing investigation.”

Puett says some of the issues were discovered during the tenure of former Sheriff Mike Strong. Puett says Strong was involved with starting the investigations and that the two law officers are both “on the same page.”

“He was very well aware, and a part of making sure those issues were investigated,” Puett said. “Sheriff Strong is completely supportive of the investigation and the issues that were discovered.”

Puett said that back in December, then-Detective Tom Cates was named Acting Captain at the jail.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(Update 10:20 a.m.) – Sheriff Bill Puett has called in outside investigators to look into issues relating to inmate property in the Buchanan County Jail.

According to a news release, during some internal auditing and reviews in late December of 2016 the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office discovered some employee performance issues of concern and an internal investigation was undertaken.

“The investigations recently uncovered some issues relating to the destruction of former inmate property from inmates who abandoned their property after being sent to the Department of Corrections,” Puett said.

He said currently, some of the internal investigations have been completed and issues resolved, however, some internal investigation are still ongoing. He said the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating for potential improprieties and that investigation is ongoing.

“Personnel issues are confidential and I cannot discuss issues relating to the discipline or dismissal of members of the sheriff’s office,” Puett said.

When St. Joseph Post’s John P. Tretbar asked if theft was involved Puett said they are trying to determine that.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(10 a.m.) – Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett is addressing the media this morning in reference to investigations ongoing involving the Buchanan County Jail.

The media availability was scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday.  Our own John P. Tretbar is attending and will update with more information after the conference.

Refresh this post for more information as it becomes available.