Former Oklahoma Republican Party chairman Chad Alexander, who was arrested on felony cocaine possession and obstruction of justice charges in 2014, was appointed this week to serve on the Oklahoma County jail trust, according to KFOR-TV.
Alexander said that he thinks he'll bring a "unique perspective" to the trust given his past experience with addiction.
The trust was created two years ago, reports The Oklahoman, to "oversee the management and financial activity" of the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
Earlier this week, many members of the public used a public comment session to oppose the decision.
"Chad Alexander, he is really nothing but a spinmeister, a right wing extremist spinmeister," said Oklahoma resident Mark Faulk.
"If they cannot follow the law, how are they able to enforce and make laws," agreed Christopher Johnston.
Commissioner Carrie Blumert downplayed the drug charges, drug addiction, illegal behavior and lies to officers, saying that it was in the past and Alexander was no different than anyone else who made mistakes.
"We cannot use someone's addiction as a check against them," she said. "Have all of us messed up? Yes."
According to the 2014 arrest report, Alexander flashed a badge and told the officer that he was the assistant district attorney for Cleveland County, which wasn't true. Rather, he was a public information officer for District Attorney Greg Mashburn at the time.
He was ultimately given a plea agreement and that resulted in a five-year deferred sentence, meaning if he agreed to plead guilty and followed the conditions of his release without future problems he wouldn't have to serve jail time.
