Rutherford County Sheriff Back in Court Tuesday, Could Be Jailed

NASHVILLE, TN — Federal prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to issue a warrant Tuesday for the arrest of Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold for violating the terms of his pre-trial release, after a mysterious domestic violence call to his home over Labor Day weekend.

The embattled sheriff, facing a 14-count federal conspiracy and fraud indictment for allegedly orchestrating the JailCigs scheme at the Rutherford County Jail, will be back in court and could spend the five months until his February trial date behind bars.

Rutherford County deputies responded to a call at Arnold's home September 5 after the sheriff and his wife, Megan, returned from a Labor Day party. Though two deputies — one of whom was Arnold's cousin — responded, no report was filed and the district attorney asked for a TBI investigation.

Megan Arnold told the TBI that her husband became violent after the party, according to a federal court filing. When she opened the bedroom where the sheriff was, "the defendant pushed Mrs. Arnold to the floor and punched her in her right arm near her shoulder."

"Mrs. Arnold kicked the defendant, and a struggle ensued," according to the filing "During the struggle, the defendant grabbed a belt and wrapped it around Mrs. Arnold in an attempt to drag her out of the room without leaving marks on her body. Mrs. Arnold slipped out of the belt, and the defendant pinned her on the bed with his body. Mrs. Arnold related the defendant said if he were to place all of his body weight on her that she would stop breathing.

"Eventually, the defendant got up and Mrs. Arnold went to another part of the house," court records state. "In a recorded conversation between Mrs. Arnold and a third party, Mrs. Arnold stated that she wanted to make a statement to the police, but she is scared of the defendant."

During a September 20 meeting with the TBI, Megan Arnold said the description was accurate but refused to sign the statement.

Arnold's pre-trial release supervisor will ask the judge to amend the terms of Arnold's release, to include a prohibition against having access to firearms or drinking alcohol, while the prosecution will ask for a determination that Arnold violated the terms of his release and should be jailed.

The hearing is set for 1:30 Tuesday afternoon in Nashville.

Image via Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.