Sheriff's Past Missteps: A Look at the Legal Troubles

A former sheriff and two others are set to face federal court this week. Chuck Wright, the ex-sheriff, along with Amos Durham, a former chaplain, and Lawson Berry Watson, a former employee, have court appearances scheduled. Wright is one of many sheriffs in South Carolina to face criminal charges recently. Wright and Durham have admitted to taking money meant for official use. They used it for personal expenses, including supporting a drug habit. Wright also misused funds meant for a trip to honor a fallen deputy. He took money meant for deputy expenses and used it for himself. In a separate incident, Wright got pain pills by claiming they would be destroyed. Instead, he kept them for personal use. He also used a blank check to pay someone buying large amounts of drugs. Watson was on the payroll for years without doing any work, costing nearly $200, 000. Wright has agreed to plead guilty to three charges. Durham and Watson have also agreed to plead guilty to their respective charges. If convicted, they could face years in prison, heavy fines, and restitution. However, they could still change their minds before the court appearance. Wright and Durham are also being investigated for other issues. These include Wright's drug habit and personal use of a county-funded credit card. This investigation started after reports about Wright's spending were published.