Advertisement Man working for Sheboygan County Sheriff's Dept. convicted of Texas homicide Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A man convicted of a homicide in Texas almost 40 years ago has quietly been working as a radio technician for the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Department for some time.VIDEO: Sheboygan Co. sheriff supports employee with criminal recordRafael George Macias’ history has been exposed, and the sheriff is defending his decision to keep him on staff."If I had any indication that the public or our employees are in any type of danger, I would be letting him go,” Sheboygan County Sheriff Todd Priebe said.Priebe said he won't fire the convicted felon currently working has his radio technician.The Associated Press reported in 1977 that former Airman Rafael George Macias strangled a woman in Texas, using a hacksaw on her body. He served 13 years before eventually relocating to Wisconsin."I do not condone what is he had done. The details, it's unbelievable that the George that I know was capable of doing that but I stand behind him,’ Priebe said.Macias started as a contractor with the Sheriff's Department 14 years ago. When Priebe hired Macias in 2011, he said he knew he had served time for homicide but said he didn't know the details.“Depending on the browser you use, or something like that, four years ago, we had trouble finding anything and about six months ago we discovered more of the details,” Priebe said.Despite the unusual circumstances of Macias' employment, Priebe said he's had an outpouring of support.“For the most part, it's all been positive. You've got some callers, but my emails and phone messages have been, up to this point, positive,” Priebe said.Priebe said he's also happy with the job Macias has done.Priebe said Macias doesn't pose any threats to co-workers or the community, but he said he wouldn't have hired him if knew the specifics of his case.