SISSETON, S.D. (KXLG) — Interim acting Sheriff Barry Hillestad will continue as sheriff in Roberts County until the 2020 election. Hillestad was appointed to the position by the Roberts County Commission Jan. 7 pending the outcome of a trial involving then elected Roberts County Sheriff Korey Ware of Sisseton.

The 28 year-old Ware was a deputy at the time of an Aberdeen bar incident back on Oct. 6, 2018. A jury recently returned a felony aggravated assault charge against Ware who was involved a bar altercation that injured another man. Ware, who was unopposed in the November general election, wasn’t prevented from being sworn in as Sheriff in January, although his duties were restricted until the outcome of his trial.

With the recent guilty conviction Ware is now prevented from serving as a law enforcement officer. Hillestad says his appointment this week has no expiration time and that he will continue as sheriff until the next election in 2020. The Roberts County Sheriff’s office has 45 employees that staff a 72 bed jail, 911 communications, and law enforcement.