JOHNSON COUNTY, Texas — Sheriff Adam King has placed himself on administrative leave after being indicted by a Johnson County Grand Jury on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
According to jail records, King faces two felony counts of retaliation against a witness and one misdemeanor count of abuse of office related to sexual harassment.
Court documents detail numerous allegations of unwelcome sexual advances and verbal harassment toward female employees. In one instance, King allegedly told a subordinate to remove her sweater, stating she would need to “disrobe” before he signed any documents.
The affidavit also states that King told the same employee, “If you keep losing weight, you’re going to make me do some ungodly things to you.” On another occasion, after the employee wore white slacks to work, King allegedly remarked, “Back in my younger days, you wouldn’t want to know what I did to women wearing white pants.”
The indictment further describes multiple instances in which King commented on female subordinates’ physical appearance, including remarks about their weight, clothing, and makeup.
In light of the charges, Captain Ben Arriola has been appointed Acting Sheriff. Arriola, a longtime leader in the department, will oversee daily operations and ensure the office maintains its stability and integrity.
Despite the allegations, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office emphasized its continued mission: “Our fundamental duty is to serve mankind. We are committed to maintaining public trust, ensuring community safety, and operating with accountability.”
Officials stressed that Sheriff King, like all citizens, is entitled to due process and will have his day in court.
