Former Rutherford County Sheriff Now in Federal Prison

LEITCHFIELD, KY — Disgraced former Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold is now in federal custody.

Arnold, who pleaded guilty to three of 14 federal charges laid against him, had been held in the Grayson County Correctional Complex since being found in violation of his pre-trial release agreement late last year.

Arnold's sentencing in the JailCigs conspiracy case is scheduled for May, though his attorneys have asked U.S. District Court Judge Kevin Sharp to expedite that process. Sharp already denied a motion which would have allowed Arnold to be released until his sentencing.

The former sheriff had repeatedly complained about conditions in the county jail during his detention there.

Each of the three counts Arnold pleaded guilty to carries a sentence of 20 years, though it is likely he'll receive between four and six years of prison time.

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Image via Grayson County, Ky.