By Sue Lindsey
The Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. — A former county sheriff pleaded guilty Thursday to lying to authorities about a scheme to sell drugs and guns seized from criminals, attorneys said.
Former Henry County Sheriff H. Franklin Cassell admitted to making false statements to federal investigators looking into corruption in his department, defense attorneys John Fishwick and John Lichtenstein said.
Under the plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Roanoke, prosecutors dropped four other charges related to the allegations that Cassell looked the other way as drugs and guns seized by the department were resold to the public.
“Frank Cassell violated the public’s trust and his oath as a member of law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney John Brownlee said in a statement. “With today’s guilty plea, Frank Cassell has been held responsible for his actions.”
The charge against Cassell carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest a sentence of six to 12 months with an option for home confinement, according to the agreement.
Sentencing is expected in August, Lichtenstein said.
“We think this is a fair agreement,” he said. “We think the judge will fairly consider the sentencing.”
Cassell, 69, and 12 current and former members of his department, as well as seven other people, were indicted in the corruption case last fall.
All but three have pleaded guilty to charges that included racketeering conspiracy, narcotics distribution and weapons counts.
At the hearing before Judge James Turk, the former sheriff took responsibility for his actions and apologized to the people of Henry County, Lichtenstein said.
Prosecutors said that since 1998, cocaine, steroids, marijuana and other drugs that had been seized by the sheriff’s department were resold. Among those involved were vice officers and a dog handler for the department.
A sergeant who agreed to cooperate with investigators was paid off by the ring to use his house for distributing drugs, authorities said.
Cassell retired as sheriff shortly after the 48-count indictment was returned and had maintained his innocence.
His case had been set for a two-week jury trial in June.