POLSON- Lake County Undersheriff Karey Reynolds has stepped down from his post saying in a letter released to Montana's News Station that, "at this time, I am no longer the best man for the job".

News came out in December that Reynolds was the subject of a perjury investigation being conducted by the Montana Department of Justice as officials also look into a case where some Lake County deputies are accused of poaching deer from as far back as 15 years ago.

Reynolds said in Friday's letter that, "rumors of officer wrongdoing continue to be rehashed despite the fact that the election is long past and that, like Elvis, previous administrations have left the building. I am greatly saddened to see that the reputations of the outstanding men and women who protect and serve the people of Lake County have been damaged through the spiteful mud-slinging of an unhappy minority who have allowed their personal agendas to ride roughshod over their loyalty and good sense".

Allegations of perjury came forward in December from a current deputy who says Reynolds lied under oath about his own credibility as a law enforcement officer. Lake County Sheriff Jay Doyle said in an interview with Montana's News Station at the time that he immediately sent the complaint to the Division of Criminal Investigations and asked them to look into the matter.

Reynolds said in his letter that he's stepping down because the undersheriff's office is being reconfigured and, "part of this restructuring would require an undersheriff with much stronger skills and experience in human resources than I currently possess".

Lake County Sheriff's Detective Dan Yonkin is taking over as Lake County Undersheriff and Reynolds says that he'll "support the Lake County Sheriff Office, Sheriff Jay Doyle, and Undersheriff Dan Yonkin".

Doyle thanked Reynolds for his service saying a letter released to Montana's News Station.

We'll have more on this developing story as information becomes available.

- information from Katy Harris included in this report. Web story written by Mark Thorsell