Roosevelt Sheriff Resigns Following Primary Defeat

An embattled northeastern Montana sheriff has resigned less than two months ahead of an election in which he appeared headed for defeat by a subordinate.

Roosevelt County Commissioner Gary MacDonald said two-term Sheriff Freedom Crawford turned his resignation in late Thursday.

The resignation was first reported by The Billings Gazette. A replacement had not been named Friday.

Crawford did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

In June, he lost a primary vote to opponent Jason Frederick by a huge margin. The two were to face off again in November.

Frederick, a former undersheriff, was demoted by Crawford shortly after announcing his candidacy.

Crawford most recently made headlines when police found him sleeping on a Wolf Point sidewalk and suspected he was intoxicated. He was not cited.