Stockton ? The Rooks County sheriff has been charged with distributing methamphetamine.

The Salina Journal reports that Sheriff Randy Axelson was charged Tuesday with nine felony counts of meth distribution. Axelson was arrested Dec. 30 and has been out of jail since posting $45,000 bond.

Axelson’s lawyer, Kurt Kerns of Wichita, said Wednesday that Axelson has a “spotless record” and will plead not guilty to the charges.

Axelson is accused of distributing meth from September through Dec. 21, at the Rooks County Fairgrounds and within 1,000 feet of Stockton High School. Rooks County is in north-central Kansas, about 40 miles north of Hays.

Ellis County Attorney Thomas Drees has been appointed special prosecutor in the case. He said Axelson’s first appearance is scheduled for Jan. 30 in Hays. Axelson remains sheriff, but Rooks County Undersheriff Chad Sterling is running the department.