FIRST ON 3 UPDATE: Interim Sheriff explains why deputies were not sworn in

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC (WWAY) — Bladen County has a new sheriff, but five fewer deputies. Former Sheriff Earl Storms was sworn in this morning as interim sheriff, but when it was time to swear in 10 deputies, five were left off the list. Storms tells WWAY he needed more time to get enough information about the deputies and could reinstate them down the road.

The list of deputies left out includes Chief Dep. Phillip Little and Eric Bryan, who narrowly lost last month’s run-off for the Democratic nomination for Sheriff. Storms says he had a long talk today with Little about his future with the department.