Jailed former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely is making a bid to serve the remainder of his sentence in Limestone County Community Corrections.

Blakely, who served 38 years as sheriff, was automatically removed from the position when a Limestone County jury on Aug. 3, 2021, found him guilty of first-degree theft and using his public office for personal gain.

He was sentenced to three years in the Franklin County Jail, which he began serving in February in Franklin County.

Blakely lost an appeal back in May.

In a court filing dated Oct. 16, Blakely’s lawyer argues that his sentence should be transferred for several reasons, such as:

Health: Blakely, according to the filing, has “serious health problems,” including diabetes, a heart condition and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

Jail time: The former sheriff has served his sentence for the past nine months without citation or disciplinary action, according to the filing.

Character references: The motion was accompanied by references from Republican Chairman John Wahl, State Senators Tom Butler and Tim Melson, State Rep. Dan Crawford, retired County Circuit Judges George Craig and Jimmy Woodruff, Athens Mayor Ron Marks, Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson, and Alabama Ethics Commission Chairman John Plunk, as well as others.

Prosecutors are opposing the move, saying the trial court no longer has jurisdiction in the case after 30 days, according to state law.