A Mineral County Board of Commissioners meeting became heated last week after the county sheriff refused to turn over requested documents for a purchase he made in 2025.

County Attorney Debra Jackson aired her frustrations with Sheriff Ryan Funke at the Sept. 10 meeting after he allegedly refused to complete a records request she sent him more than a month ago.  

The request is part of an investigation into three missing patrol vehicles Funke ordered in 2025. The sheriff ordered six vehicles from ESU Pursuits, a Kansas-based government vehicle supplier, for $353,688, according to a figure he provided at a board meeting on May 15, 2025. The delivery remains half filled, according to county officials.  

Jackson requested documents and records of the purchase from Clerk and Recorder Kelann McLees, Treasurer Merry Mueller and Funke on July 28 after meeting with commissioners. Funke was invited to the meeting, Jackson said, but he declined to attend.  

The records are needed to determine the best course of action, she said. When Funke failed to respond in a timely manner, she issued subpoenas to him and former Commissioner Shawn Smalley, whom Jackson was later told might have information on the purchase. Jackson told commissioners that further delays in investigation may impair the county’s ability to take legal action or collect a refund. 

“We have a right to pursue,” Jackson said. “Our obligation is to pursue, to find out what happened.” 

Attorney Lance Jasper, who was hired by Funke and Smalley earlier this month, repeatedly tried to speak over Jackson during the meeting. Jasper attended the meeting through phone, and Jackson eventually asked the sheriff to mute him.  

Once she finished, Jasper said his clients were cooperating with an active FBI investigation into ESU Pursuits on allegations of business fraud. Funke and Smalley were instructed by federal agents not to disclose any material they submitted without approval from the bureau, he said.  

The county attorney argued the records are county property and should be sent directly to her. Commissioner Dan Clemts later told the Daily Inter Lake Jasper dropped off a thumb drive with the requested documents at the Mineral County Courthouse on Sept. 14. Clemts was appointed to replace Smalley after he resigned in June, citing health concerns. 

Jackson had also chastised Jasper at the meeting for mentioning the federal operation on public record.  

“You know as well as I do you cannot disclose investigations,” she said, raising her voice as Jasper tried again to interrupt.  

Jasper and Funke accused Jackson of staging the meeting, misrepresenting the facts and spreading false information. Jasper added that the subpoena was confusing and poorly written. 

Jackson shook her head at the statement and later said the contract with ESU Pursuits never made it to her office.  

“Lance, you can’t keep interrupting me,” she said in a raised voice. “I need the records ... I have no idea what happened.” 

“You signed off on this purchase,” Jasper argued.  

“No, I didn’t sign off on this,” Jackson replied.  

Smalley said the contract was signed by all three commissioners and should either be in their office or with the clerk and recorder. Jackson asked Smalley if he had any emails regarding the contract, but he interrupted her. 

“Stop that,” he said. “I already answered.” 

He was offered an exit from the investigation by signing a statement to declare he had no information, but the former commissioner said language in the statement deterred his signature.  

“If I unknowingly missed a little thing, I could have been prosecuted under perjury,” Smalley said. “I’m not going to sign that, because I don’t trust the county attorney.” 

AT THE close of the discussion, Clemts offered to look through his office in search of the contract for the purchased vehicles. However, he later told the Inter Lake it's possible a contract was never signed and suspected a copy of the invoice might be included on the thumb drive.

Funke, Jackson and the other two county commissioners did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the Daily Inter Lake by press time.  

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.