Former Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold, as part of a plea agreement yet to be released, Arnold pleaded guilty to 3 of the 14 federal charges against him. in what is known as the JailCigs case.
Appearing in U.S. District Court this morning, Arnold pleaded guilty to 3 of the charges: wire fraud, extortion and honest services fraud, and faces a maximum of 20 years on each charge.
Arnold’s attorney filed a motion asking Arnold to be released into his mother’s custody until sentencing in May. That motion was denied.
Arnold’s plea agreement comes 3 weeks before trial was to begin, and 2 days before his chief admin deputy , Russel, enter his.
Arnold’s uncle , John Vandeveer, also up on charges, has been silent during the whole affair.