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Tennessee Sheriff Indicted for Corruption
A federal grand jury has indicted Robert F. Arnold, 40, Sheriff of Rutherford County, Tennessee, on conspiracy, fraud, and related charges. Arnold’s Chief Deputy, Joe L. Russell II, 49, and John Vanderveer, 58, of Marietta, Georgia, Arnold’s uncle, have also been indicted.
According to the indictment, Arnold, Russell, and Vanderveer devised a scheme to exploit Arnold’s and Russell’s official positions to make tens of thousands of dollars selling e-cigarettes in the Rutherford County Jail. The indictment alleges that they invested $3,000 to start JailCigs LLC, a private company that would allow friends and family members of inmates to purchase e-cigarettes online and have them shipped to the jail for distribution by jail personnel and use by inmates.
Between December 2013 and April 2015, Arnold allegedly received $66,790 from JailCigs and Russell and Vanderveer each received roughly $50,000. On the eve of the 2014 election, in which Arnold was running for reelection as Sheriff of Rutherford County, Russell allegedly emailed a JailCigs customer and reminded the customer that it was Arnold who brought the JailCigs program to the Rutherford County Jail for the enjoyment of inmates and if Arnold was not reelected, the program would come to an end.
The indictment alleges that Arnold and Russell made misrepresentations that the arrangement had been approved by various officials, including the county attorney and the county auditor, and repeatedly denied that they were personally involved with JailCigs or were receiving any benefit from the sale of its product. Arnold allegedly also told the media that he had not received any income from JailCigs.
The indictment charges Arnold, Russell, and Vanderveer with honest services fraud, wire fraud, bribery concerning federal programs, extortion under color of official right, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.
Defendant: Robert F. Arnold
Criminal Charges: Honest services fraud, wire fraud, bribery concerning federal programs, extortion under color of official right, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy
City and State: Rutherford County, Tennessee
Exact Date: October 2013
Sentence or Outcome: Currently indicted
Dollar Amounts: $66,790 received by Arnold from JailCigs, $50,000 received by Russell and Vanderveer from JailCigs
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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