Longtime Limestone County sheriff Mike Blakely was officially granted parole on Thursday, April 11, by a 2-1 vote. 

Blakely, who had been sheriff for nearly 4 decades, was convicted Aug. 2, 2021, of first-degree theft and use of official position or office for personal gain, two felonies for which he was later sentenced to three years in a jail other than Limestone County’s.

During the hearing, the three-member board had to deliberate for several minutes due to the fact that the board chair wanted Blakely to finish his sentence. 

Several friends and family members have posted on Facebook on Blakely’s behalf, as he is still not to make public comment yet, saying that it will still be a few weeks before Blakely is released and that he is grateful to all those who have supported him.