Joann Reed tells the Belleville News-Democrat that she accidentally sent the fax from the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department to the newspaper with a signed, handwritten message saying, "Dismiss this case."
The papers were meant to go to the village attorney in Centreville, where police wrote up the deputy's 18-year-old son for going 23 miles over the speed limit Aug. 18.
Village attorney Carmen Durso says he was powerless to do anything about the ticket anyway. He says he can't dismiss violations of state law, such as speeding tickets.
The sheriff says he's investigating and will weigh disciplinary action.
