Filings Reveal Scope of Case Feds Have Prepared Against Rutherford County Sheriff

NASHVILLE, TN — Federal prosecutors are prepared to present a massive case against Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold, his chief deputy, and his uncle if early filings are any indication.

Arnold, deputy Joe Russell, and Arnold's uncle John Vanderveer could potentially spend 95 years behind bars if convicted of the litany of charges from conspiracy to fraud related to the operation of an e-cigarette company supplying inmates at the Rutherford County Jail.

Discovery documents filed in recent weeks show that the U.S. Attorney plans a massive prosecution. An early witness list has more than 80 names on it. A spreadsheet outlining the scope of discovery says the defense should prepare for 372,970 documents, recordings, videos and photographs and more than 810,000 pieces of stamped evidence.

Arnold remains as the county's sheriff even while under indictment and recently took a taxpayer-funded trip to the White House.

The case is set for February 7, 2017 before U.S. District Court Judge Kevin Sharp.

Image via Rutherford County Sheriff's Department