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SEARCHThe indictment and an earlier sworn statement by an FBI agent say the sheriff tried to get federal agents to stop investigating a drug dealer who had provided the sheriff with methamphetamine.
A federal judge has ordered an indicted southwest Arkansas sheriff to give up all his law enforcement duties and stay away from the sheriff's office.
The order by U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant says Hot Spring County Sheriff Scott Finkbeiner's only remaining authority is over payroll. Finkbeiner was indicted Nov. 15 on charges of obstruction of justice and concealing a crime, after first being arrested on Nov. 2.
The indictment and an earlier sworn statement by an FBI agent say Finkbeiner tried to get federal agents to stop investigating a drug dealer who had provided the sheriff with methamphetamine, Fox News reports.
Finkbeiner has pleaded not guilty. In a Nov. 6 post of the sheriff's office Facebook page, he denied wrongdoing.
"I do want to emphatically say I DID NOT OBSTRUCT JUSTICE in any way!" he wrote. "In fact it is the contrary. Thank you for the huge outpouring of support!! It's my hope that you can all come to the trial and see the truth!"