POINT PLEASANT — Mason County Sheriff David L. Anthony, II, has filed for reelection.

On Thursday afternoon, Anthony filed the necessary paperwork with the Mason County Clerk’s Office to seek a second term as sheriff.

The last time Anthony was in the Mason County Courthouse was earlier this month to plead not guilty to several charges returned against him in a grand jury indictment. Anthony has made little comment on the legal battles he’s facing and no comment on whether or not he would seek reelection. Anthony’s attorney, David Moye, spoke with the Point Pleasant Register on Thursday, addressing why, with all the turmoil he’s facing, Anthony would want to seek a second term.

“Dave is still the sheriff,” Moye said. “The people elected him and he feels he has a duty and obligation to continue to serve the people.”

Moye also addressed the legal issues Anthony is facing.

“He’s entirely innocent of these charges and he intends to take it to a jury and tell the people of Mason County this,” Moye said. “He fully intends on serving another term and showing the people of Mason County these charges are absolutely frivolous.”

At Anthony’s arraignment, Moye indicated he may file a motion for a change of venue which would mean the trial would be held outside Mason County - that seems to now be up for debate. Moye said he’s currently “undecided” on filing for a change of venue, though leaning towards keeping any trial in Mason County, explaining, “Dave feels he needs to be vindicated by the same people who trusted him to serve.”

The trial is set for 9:30 a.m., April 10 though Moye said there’s a possibility it could get bumped into the next term which begins in May.

“Right now Dave is completely innocent until someone proves him guilty and really, I have reviewed all of the discovery given to me and I think a lot of other agencies have some explaining to do…I don’t know why they chose to pick out Mr. Anthony on this,” Moye said.

Moye did not comment on whether Anthony, who has not been on the job since his arrest in November, would be returning to work. However, Moye did say as an elected official and despite the charges he’s facing, Anthony could return to his post in an administrative capacity.

As of last week, the Mason County Commission reported plans to eventually petition for Anthony’s removal by a panel of three judges was still in the works. The Commission hired Ripley law firm, Harris & Holmes, to start the removal process. The date the panel convenes is not to be less than 24 days from the date of filing the petition. Without a jury, the panel hears the charges and evidence and can, upon satisfactory proof of the charges, remove Anthony from office. If the panel chooses to remove Anthony, he can appeal within 30 days from the order’s entry date.

Anthony, a Democrat, will face four other Democratic candidates in the upcoming May primary, including John Paul Casey of Apple Grove, Donnie Kapp of Evans, Gregory Powers of Point Pleasant and James Will of Point Pleasant. Three Republicans have filed for sheriff as well and are Gordon Clark of West Columbia, Joseph Frank of Leon and Curtis C. McConihay of Point Pleasant. More candidates could still file for the office with the filing deadline set for midnight, Jan. 28.