Update: Former Griggs County sheriff makes court appearance over altered email

COOPERSTOWN, N.D. (KFGO) – A former sheriff in eastern North Dakota made his first court appearance Monday on a felony charge of tampering with public records.

Michael Beaver was sheriff of Griggs County when he altered an email to hide how much help he asked for from the Highway Patrol during the county’s annual Smoker fundraiser in Cooperstown.

Beaver and his deputy came under fire from county commissioners for what they called “overzealous policing” when three troopers were patrolling in and around Cooperstown the night of the April fundraiser. When asked for a copy of the email requesting help, Beaver submitted one that showed he asked for one trooper for the entire county.

However, a copy from the Highway Patrol shows beaver asked for three troopers specifically for help in Cooperstown the night of the fundraiser.

Beaver and his deputy resigned in May.

Beaver had been working for the Wells County Sheriff’s Office until he was charged with the felony.