Henry County Sheriff Frank Cassell stepped down Monday amid cries that his federal indictment left him in no position to head the department.

Cassell's decision to retire came just four days after he placed himself on unpaid administrative leave, a decision that riled the board of supervisors and some Henry County residents who believed Cassell would remain too involved in the workings of the office.

"Mr. Cassell has made the right and honorable decision," board Chairman H.G. Vaughn said Monday.

Vaughn and the board called for Cassell, 68, to resign shortly after his indictment became public earlier this month. He is accused of impeding a federal investigation into corruption within his department.

Twelve current and former deputies were also indicted, along with seven civilians. They are accused of crimes including stealing drugs from evidence and selling them, using steroids and possessing illegal firearms.

After Cassell said Thursday that he would "completely and without exception" separate himself from the management of the department, the board of supervisors said his decision raised more questions than it answered and called again for his resignation.

As of Friday, Vaughn said, he and other supervisors had received several calls from residents interested in circulating a petition calling for Cassell's removal. Before Monday's announcement, the board had planned to meet Wednesday to discuss Cassell's status.

Cassell's attorneys, John Fishwick Jr. and John Lichtenstein, issued a press release Monday saying their client had examined "the nearly constant distraction his status has become since his announcement last week."

They said Cassell had fully intended to remain on unpaid leave throughout the prosecution of the case but has heard requests that he make the separation "more formal and permanent."

Although he had less than a year left on his term and did not intend to seek re-election next November, Cassell decided to retire effective Monday.

"The Sheriff simply will not allow the technical aspects of the status of his position to distract from the important work of the office," the release stated.

Henry County Attorney George Lyle said he expects Circuit Court Judge David Williams to enter an order today naming Capt. Lane Perry interim sheriff.

Perry, the highest ranking officer remaining after Cassell and Maj. James Keaton were both indicted, has been running the department since Nov. 2.

County officials have praised Perry's work so far.

"Nobody wants to become the sheriff under these conditions," Lyle said. "There's been a breach of the public trust and it's going to have to be regained one day at a time."

Lyle added that the board of supervisors will petition the court to enter an order to hold a special election. Lyle said he is not sure how soon a special election would have to be held.

Cassell's attorneys promised again Monday to mount a vigorous defense in the case.

All but one of the 20 defendants have been released on bond.

Civilian Wilbert Brown, who has a long record that includes a murder conviction, was denied bond late last week.

Most defendants have also hired their own attorneys, who have begun to file motions requesting access to the government's evidence in the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bondurant has said that includes some 100 tapes of covertly recorded conversations.