WHITEHOUSE (TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH) — After having an assault charge against him dropped last week, Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton has resigned his position with the city effective Monday.
Shelton was cleared of a Class A misdemeanor assault charge last week when the prosecutor learned the complainant who accused Shelton lied under oath.
Jessica Johnson — the estranged wife of former Whitehouse officer Shawn Johnson — claimed Shelton attempted to sexually assault her at her home on May 14, but Shelton was never charged with any sex crime.
Shelton admitted to a kiss with the victim, but he said that was as far as their interaction went.
"I made a personal mistake for which I am very sorry, but I did not commit a crime," Shelton wrote in his resignation letter dated Monday. "At this time, my relationship with my wife is stronger than it has ever been. I am very glad to know that the policy violation investigation against me has been terminated."
Last week, Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham had the charges dismissed against Shelton, because he said Mrs. Johnson repeatedly lied to the grand jury about an affair she had with another Whitehouse officer.
"The false testimony and her not being truthful with me reflects directly upon her credibility as a witness in the indicted assault case," Bingham said last week.
Bingham said he gave Mrs. Johnson the opportunity to admit she had given false testimony and avoid possible prosecution on perjury charges.
In his resignation letter, Shelton thanked the city and his supporters and said he was proud of his accomplishments with the agency, including reducing the police department budget by $400,000 and converting a defunct gun range into a top-of-the-line facility utilized by agencies across the area.
Shelton said he felt it was in the best interest of the city to move forward and resign his position. He said he hopes the city can begin to heal after lies and rumors were circulated through the community about him and others.
"Despite my desire to continue to fight these falsities, I care too much for the city of Whitehouse and its citizens to remain in my position," Shelton wrote.
