Martin County Sheriff John Woodward officially resigned Tuesday according to Precinct 1 Commissioner Kenny Stewart.

“It is confirmed that he resigned and it will be effective as of December 3,” Stewart said Tuesday night.

Woodward’s resignation comes from reports that the former sheriff has not been in the office for several weeks. The Odessa American reported Monday that a former unnamed Martin County Deputy said that the sheriff had also reportedly received a tattoo from an inmate in his office as the two were drinking on March 27, 2013.

County officials said they expected Woodward’s resignation because they were aware of the alleged drinking incident but declined to charge him after he entered a rehabilitation facility.

Stewart said that the county judge told commissioners that Woodward would avoid prosecution if he decided to go to rehab.

Officials with the Texas Rangers were also reportedly informed of the incident however; they were never officially brought in to investigate.