Former Ga. sheriff re-elected despite indictment

ATLANTA (AP) — Voters in an Atlanta suburb have re-elected their former sheriff, who has been indicted on felony charges that could lead to him being suspended or kicked out of office.

Unofficial returns Tuesday showed Victor Hill garnering 77 percent of the vote to reclaim the office of Clayton County sheriff, a position he lost at the polls in 2008.

This year, Hill was the only candidate on the general election ballot after he defeated the incumbent in the summer primary. His only opposition Tuesday was the current chief deputy, Garland Watkins, who mounted a write-in campaign.

Hill faces 32 felony counts stemming from his first term. Defense attorneys have dismissed the accusations as attacks by political rivals.

Under Georgia law, anyone convicted of a felony cannot hold the office of sheriff.