In a significant turn of events within Jeff Davis County, Deputy C.W. Stephens of the Sheriff’s office has thrown his hat into the ring for the county’s top law enforcement position. The revelation of his candidacy came to light following the sighting of a political sign on Stephens’ truck in Fort Davis on Christmas Day.
This development emerges during a period marked by the current Sheriff Bill Kitts’ handling of a persistent malware issue within the office, a situation extensively covered by our publication, Big Bend Times. In a recent article titled “When I Get Around to It”: Sheriff Kitts’ Timeline for Fixing Malware Issues Hampering Office’s Operations,” we reported on the ongoing digital security crisis that has significantly hampered the department’s operations.
Since late October, the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s office has been grappling with a malware attack. Although the initial incident was quickly contained, with Sheriff Kitts assuring no data breach occurred, the aftermath has been less than optimal. Affected computers, including the sheriff’s own, have remained offline as a preventive measure, leading to an extended period without access to county email systems.
CTSI, the county’s technology vendor, has been engaged since October 20 in efforts to resolve the situation, yet the fix has been notably delayed. Sheriff Kitts’ varied responses to queries about the timeline for resolving the email issues, initially casual and later more assertive, have highlighted both his frustration and the ongoing challenges faced by his office.
While the sheriff’s office continues its duties through alternative methods, the community is eagerly awaiting a secure and swift resolution to this extended technical setback.
Deputy Stephens’ entry into the sheriff race, amidst these challenges faced by the incumbent, adds a new dimension to the upcoming election. However, details about Stephens’ campaign platform remain elusive, as attempts by Big Bend Times to reach him or his campaign treasurer, Beth Stephens, for comments have been unsuccessful.
As the election draws near, the citizens of Jeff Davis County are closely watching the developments. The unfolding political landscape, coupled with the current cybersecurity issues, is set to be a central theme in the forthcoming sheriff’s race.
