Hays ? A northwest Kansas sheriff has been arrested on suspicion of distributing methamphetamine after an investigation involving several agencies.

Ellis County Attorney Thomas Drees says 43-year-old Rooks County Sheriff Randy Axelson was arrested Friday by agents with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Drees has been appointed as special prosecutor in the case. Axelson was being held in Ellis County Jail without bond until a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.

Drees says Rooks County Attorney Ed Hageman asked the KBI on Tuesday to investigate Axelson, who took office in 2009.

Rooks County deputies, Stockton police and Plainville police also took part in the investigation.

The Ellis County jail said Saturday it was unclear whether Axelson had hired an attorney. Nobody answered at a phone number provided for Drees.