MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold says he won't leave office despite facing federal corruption charges.
The Daily News Journal reports Arnold sent a text message Saturday to one of the newspaper's reporters that said he had no intention of resigning.
The text came a day after Arnold was brought into a federal courtroom in handcuffs. The sheriff, his chief deputy over administration and the sheriff's uncle have been named in a 14-count federal indictment. Arnold is accused of benefiting from a scheme to profit from the sale of electronic cigarettes in the jail he oversees.
The men face multiple charges, including: fraud, bribery and obstruction of justice.
The sheriff has defended himself throughout the investigation. Court documents don't list lawyers for the other two men.
REPORTED EARLIER:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee sheriff is facing public corruption charges after being named in a 14-count indictment that accuses him and others of benefiting from a scheme to sell electronic cigarettes to inmates in the jail he oversees.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith announced Friday that Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold had been charged, along with county administrative deputy Joe Russell and Arnold's uncle, John Vanderveer, of Marietta, Georgia.
The indictment alleges Arnold used his official position to promote the sale of electronic cigarettes in the jail in exchange for bribes and kickbacks from Russell and Vanderveer.
A spokewoman for the sheriff's office released a statement Friday afternoon directing all questions to Arnold's attorney.
Would you like to review the complete indictment?