Anne Arundel County sheriff denies assaulting wife

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A sheriff who was arrested on a second-degree assault charge has denied assaulting his wife.

In a statement released Monday, Anne Arundel County Sheriff Ronald Bateman said that he and his wife had an "emotional dispute" Sunday night, but says no criminal actions took place.

Local news outlets report that Bateman will return to work in an administrative capacity. Bateman says Col. Rick Tabor will be handling the daily operations of the sheriff's office until the matter is resolved.

Police responded to Bateman's Pasadena home Sunday night where Bateman's wife said that he had assaulted her. She told police that she and her husband got into an argument after he came home. Bateman was arrested on a second-degree assault charge. He was released on his own recognizance Sunday night.