Politics & Government
Ex-Rutherford Sheriff's Deputy Gets 15 Months In Corruption Case
Joe Russell, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department's former chief deputy, will serve 15 months for the JailCigs scheme.
NASHVILLE, TN — Joe Russell, the former chief deputy at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department, will serve 15 months in federal prison for his role in the JailCigs scheme.
Russell, along with former sheriff Robert Arnold and Arnold's uncle, John Vanderveer, was indicted in May 2016 on charges of honest services fraud; mail fraud; wire fraud; bribery concerning federal programs; extortion under color of official right; obstruction of justice; and conspiracy. He pleaded guilty in January.
A judge ordered Russell to pay $52,500 in restitution and to forfeit $52,234.41, an amount equal to all proceeds he received from JailCigs, the private e-cigarette company operated by the trio in the Rutherford County Jail.
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Arnold pleaded guilty in January and was sentenced in May to 50 months in federal prison. Vanderveer was sentenced to one year and one day for witness tampering.
Photo via Rutherford County Sheriff's Department
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