Romantic relationship with felon costs sheriff his law enforcement certification

Sheriff Mike Blom provided alcohol to 'girlfriend' on probation, failed to report domestic incident

The Mellette County offices in White River, South Dakota. (Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

The top cop of a southern South Dakota county has had his license to enforce the law taken away after an investigation produced evidence that he engaged in “conduct unbecoming of a law enforcement officer.”

Mike Blom, who has served as the chief lawman of Mellette County since 2015, attended an over four-hour hearing before the 13-member Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission, tasked with deciding the professional fate of the career officer.

The charge of unprofessionalism centers around Blom’s relationship with a 22-year old over the course of late last year. The woman, Yvonne Moran of White River, has been arrested multiple times on felony drug charges.

NEWS: Education Secretary says South Dakota schools diluting teacher performance goals