Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud and Drug Charges

Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to wire fraud, obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, and conspiracy to commit theft involving programs receiving federal funds.

Wright, 61, now faces up to 20 years in prison and fines after admitting he abused his elected position to siphon money from the sheriff’s office Benevolence Fund — a charitable account meant to help employees in need — and used the stolen funds to buy pain medication.

According to charging documents filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Wright “abused his position as elected Sheriff... to siphon money from Spartanburg County.” In court, Wright acknowledged his wrongdoing and described his ongoing struggle with addiction and health issues, including a recent heart attack. His attorney, Frank Epps, said Wright “acknowledged that he’d made mistakes that are very obvious from the public record” and wanted to “get this matter resolved as quickly as possible.”

After his plea, Wright released the following written statement through his legal team:

“Today, I pleaded guilty in federal court because I am guilty. Not only did I violate the law, but I also broke the sacred trust the people of Spartanburg County placed in me. I do not have the words to adequately convey my remorse, my apologies, and my regret. Serving in law enforcement was all I ever wanted to do; indeed, it is all I have ever known. Being elected Sheriff of my home county of Spartanburg was the highlight of my professional life. Because of the goodness and generosity of the people of Spartanburg, I lived the American dream. A young man, who left an abusive home at the age of 16 to go live in a fire department and never finished high school, was trusted to be the Sheriff of his home county.

I squandered that dream job through my actions, and for that I simply ask that the people of Spartanburg and my brothers and sisters in law enforcement forgive me and know that I will spend whatever time I have left trying to make amends. I offer no excuses for my actions. I accept full responsibility. I am prepared to accept whatever punishment is meted out by the court. My time in a drug treatment facility enabled me to see more clearly the wrongfulness of my actions and the need for me to leave law enforcement. I resigned, accepted responsibility for my actions, pleaded guilty as charged, will serve whatever sentence is imposed, and will never be in law enforcement again.

I am grateful to my wife and family for standing by me during this dark chapter. I am grateful to all of those who have reached out to offer words of kindness while not condoning my actions. I am grateful for a God of second chances while also being mindful there are consequences for our actions. I am grateful to my colleagues in law enforcement for our time spent together in uniform, especially the time spent seeking justice for those victimized by others and holding offenders to account. It is now time for me to hold myself to account.

In conclusion, I would like to thank my attorneys who helped me get treatment and stuck with me after charges were filed. When I return from whatever sentence is imposed, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make restitution for breaking the trust of the wonderful people I had the privilege of serving for decades.”

Two others were named in the indictment alongside Wright. Former Spartanburg County Chaplain Amos Durham and Lawson Berry “LB” Watson, a relative of Wright and a former sheriff’s office employee, also entered guilty pleas. Durham faces up to five years in prison, while Watson faces up to twenty.

A sentencing date for Wright, Durham, and Watson has not yet been scheduled. Wright was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond and ordered to continue participating in a substance abuse treatment program.

The case marks a striking downfall for a sheriff who once held one of the most visible law enforcement positions in South Carolina. Wright’s guilty plea formally ends his decades-long law enforcement career and begins what he described as an effort to make amends.

“When I return from whatever sentence is imposed,” Wright wrote, “I will spend the rest of my life trying to make restitution for breaking the trust of the wonderful people I had the privilege of serving for decades.”

WCAB News will continue to follow this case and report updates as sentencing dates are announced by federal authorities. We first reported on the charges in September.