Bingaman will become Branch County undersheriff

St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman will maintain his current job title the next four years, but in a different county.

Bingaman, whose term as undersheriff in St. Joseph County concludes Dec. 31, has been chosen to serve as undersheriff in Branch County under its sheriff-elect, Fred Blankenship.

Currently Branch County Sheriff Department’s jail administrator, Blankenship will begin his term as sheriff Jan. 1.

Bingaman plans to retire from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department Nov. 30.

Meanwhile, Branch County commissioners approved paying Bingman $30 an hour until January to work up to 40 hours a week during the transition between Sheriff John Pollack’s administration and Blankenship’s tenure.

Bingaman, a 52-year-old Mendon Township resident, has served as acting sheriff for nearly 21 months.

He was runner-up to Chad Spence in the August primary.