Johnson County Sheriff Adam King was taken into custody by his own deputies and faces multiple accusations of sexually harassing female employees at the sheriff’s office, retaliating against whistleblowers, and committing aggravated perjury.
King appeared in court on Thursday after prosecutors added a charge of aggravated perjury, alleging he lied to a grand jury. During an arraignment hearing, King pleaded not guilty to all counts, including abuse of office, sexual harassment, and retaliation against a witness. A fourth charge of aggravated perjury was filed on Wednesday, linked to claims he provided false testimony to the grand jury.
Supporters gathered at the court to back King, with one resident, Jackie Pinkerton, stating, “I’m here to support Adam King. I’ve known him for 23 years… many community service projects, great man. I stand behind him until the court sways my decision some other way.”
King’s trial is set for August 3, 2026, though it could be moved earlier. While he will remain sheriff during the case, a judge imposed restrictions: he may only work three days a week between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., cannot contact seven witnesses—including department employees and accusers—and must use a private entrance to enter and exit his office.
A grand jury indicted King on Wednesday for two counts of felony retaliation against a witness, one count of sexual harassment, and the aggravated perjury charge. The allegations stem from a Texas Rangers investigation revealing King sexually harassed multiple women at the sheriff’s office over 18 months.
Accusations include repeated comments about female employees’ weight, appearance, and clothing, as well as suggestions they wear makeup to work. One woman alleged King told her, “If you keep losing weight, I’ll do ungodly things to you,” while another claimed he remarked, “Back in my younger days, you wouldn’t want to know what I did to women wearing white pants.”