Wiggins praised, criticized as replacement sworn in

Michael Wiggins faces a pot charge in Brazos County. Michael Wiggins faces a pot charge in Brazos County. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Wiggins praised, criticized as replacement sworn in 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

SEGUIN — Mike Wiggins accomplished a lot in five years as Guadalupe County judge, but he couldn't stay in office after being arrested on a charge of pot possession.

That was a commonly heard view at Tuesday's Commissioners Court meeting, where Charles J. Willmann was sworn in as interim county judge.

A former commissioner, he'll serve until the Nov. 6 election.

Before taking the oath, Willmann praised Wiggins' work but expressed dismay over his Feb. 6 arrest at a College Station hotel where he was attending a conference.

Besides spearheading construction of the justice center building, Wiggins was credited with preparing the county for future growth and ending infighting by some county officials.

“He did a very good job, there's no denying that, but his resignation was necessary,” said Commissioner Roger Baenziger before the meeting. “He'd lost the confidence of pretty much everybody.”

Wiggins declined to say how he'll plead on the misdemeanor charge. The first hearing in his case is today in Brazos County.

Wiggins indicated that he smoked marijuana to alleviate severe foot pain.

That explanation sufficed for Benno Luensmann, who knows the challenges of pain management from being run over by a tractor.

“If someone had told me I could get rid of that pain with a little old puff of marijuana, I'd have said, ‘Bring it on,'” Luensmann, 77, said as he left the meeting.

Sheriff Arnold Zwicke, who worked beside Wiggins as a peace officer, said of Wiggins' medical justification, “I guess I can understand why he did what he did, but it's still illegal.”

Wiggins, who vacated his office Friday, said he doesn't plan to seek elected office again.

From his Seguin home Tuesday, he said, “I wish nothing but the best for the people I worked with and for Guadalupe County.”

zeke@express-news.net