Palo Pinto Co. sheriff accused of spying on ex-girlfriend
The sheriff of Palo Pinto County has turned himself in on felony charges of spying on his ex-girlfriend.
Ira Mercer is accused of using an electronic device to intercept his former girlfriend's communications. The indictment lists two incidents, one on Jan. 24, 2015 and again on Dec. 10, 2015.
Last summer, Mercer's ex-girlfriend, Julie Easley, accused the sheriff of assaulting her. The sheriff was later cleared by a grand jury.
He is not seeking re-election and his term ends at the end of the year.