Rickey D. Wallace, Republican candidate for Anson County Sheriff, has been served with a domestic violence order of protection from his estranged wife and had his firearms confiscated by the Sheriff's Office.

Wallace, who won the Republican nomination for sheriff in the May primary, was served with an ex parte domestic violence order of protection on Monday, Aug. 2.

"He was not arrested," Sheriff Tommy Allen said. "But I can confirm that we served civil papers on him [on Monday] regarding a divorce from his wife and an order of protection for domestic violence."

Wallace was removed from his house in Polkton by sheriff's deputies and his guns were confiscated, Allen added.

The order of protection states that Wallace has committed acts of domestic violence against the plaintiff in the past. According to the order, Wallace is prohibited from threatening the plaintiff or a member of the family and is ordered to stay away from the plaintiff's residence and place of business. The order also demands that Wallace "surrender to the sheriff his/her firearms, ammunition, and gun permits to purchase a firearm and carry a concealed weapon."

The motion for the protective order states that on July 29, "the defendant [Wallace] did assault the plaintiff by throwing an object at the plaintiff, and striking the plaintiff in the head. Plaintiff felt threatened for her safety and fled the marital home. On several occasions, the defendant has threatened bodily harm to the plaintiff."

Wallace stated that his wife has had breast cancer surgery and "is on a lot of medications."

"We've been married for 30 years and I've never laid a hand on my wife," he said, adding that he believed she was going to the courthouse on Tuesday to drop the protective order.

"What happened [on Monday] was nothing but petitions," he said.

A court date was scheduled for Wednesday.