There’s a cloud hanging over the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. A storm is brewing, but its intensity remains unknown.

A federal lawsuit filed Monday by Investigator Leslie Ramsey alleges some shocking deeds and wrongdoings committed by Chief Deputy Fred Sloss and Sheriff Mike Blakely.

Ramsey claims she was touched inappropriately by Sloss at his home in 2017. She claims when she reported the incident to Blakely, he dismissed her allegation, told her to see a psychiatrist, and then proceeded to demote her from investigator to a patrol deputy. She claims Blakely never disciplined Sloss, and no one at the Sheriff’s Office made a report of her sexual assault allegation, which would have been done for any other citizen.

Her lawsuit also alleges a number of other issues at the Sheriff’s Office, including lost evidence and a culture where the men are treated better than the women.

Her lawsuit was filed a little more than three months after the Alabama Ethics Commission recommended the Alabama Attorney General’s Office investigate an alleged ethics violation committed by Blakely. It’s not clear if the two things are related because the AG’s office will not comment on any active investigation.

Blakely previously told The News Courier he would be exonerated by the AG’s office.

Ramsey’s claims were shocking, to say the least. We certainly hope — for the sake of the Sheriff’s Office and those they are sworn to serve and protect — they are not true.

If they are true, there is clearly an issue with accountability that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. That could be a sizable job for Blakely, who was just sworn in for his 10th and final term.

Unless some sort of deal is reached between plaintiff and defendants, the lawsuit will play out in a federal courtroom. The defendants in the case — Blakely, Sloss and the Limestone County Commission — had 21 days from Tuesday, Jan. 15, to file a response, which could be just as compelling as Ramsey’s claims.

That being said, we would caution Limestone Countians not to jump to conclusions on either side. This is a story easy to be passionate about, but it’s also easy to forget the people embroiled in the lawsuit are real people with real family members who are unfortunate victims. It’s easy to spread rumor and conjecture on social media, but such activities only bring additional pain and suffering.

Ramsey, who is still employed at the Sheriff’s Office, had to know she would receive plenty of flack once the lawsuit was filed. Blakely, Sloss and the county commissioners may receive their share of flack from people who take Ramsey at her word.

We will continue to report on this case as it develops, as that is our job. But please know we’re not going to take a side, nor will we print anything that can’t be documented or verified.

No matter what we report, we hope our readers will refrain from continually spreading gossip, fake news and alternative facts about the lawsuit and people involved. The outcome of the case will not be determined by The News Courier or any member of the community. It will be up to a judge and jury, and we will report the verdict whenever and wherever it is announced.

Limestone County is full of good people with good intentions. If the opposite were true, all the businesses and industries who have put down roots here would have gone somewhere else.

This lawsuit could provide a chance to improve what’s already good. If a jury finds in favor of Ramsey, it’s an opportunity for Blakely to make sweeping changes in his department that would benefit not only his employees, but also the community.

If a jury finds in favor of Blakely and Sloss, the sheriff can hang up his hat knowing he dealt with the issue. There are plenty of people in the community who love and respect Blakely and Sloss, and a win would solidify that.

We’ve had several people on social media say they are praying for the plaintiff, for the defendants and for the truth to be revealed. It may also be wise to pray for a quick and just end to Ramsey’s lawsuit.