Owsley deputy pleads not guilty in threat case

An Owsley County deputy sheriff pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of terroristic threatening in Jackson County.

Claude Hudson Jr. is accused of using the lights on his cruiser to pull over a car and then threatening to kill a man in the vehicle on June 2. Hudson, 35, made the threat several times, Dicky Smith, of Clay County, said in a criminal complaint.

State police served the summons, which was signed by Jackson County Attorney George T. Hays, on Hudson, records show.

Owsley County Sheriff Kelly Shouse said Hudson will stay with the sheriff's office, but will be restricted to office duty until the charge is resolved.

Shouse said there also will be an internal inquiry.

Owsley County Judge-Executive Cale Turner said there would have been no justification for Hudson to be in a neighboring county pulling over someone.

Turner said he will ask the fiscal court next week to recommend that Hudson be suspended without pay until the criminal case is resolved.

This story was originally published June 7, 2010 at 5:45 PM with the headline "Owsley deputy pleads not guilty in threat case."