Former Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright to Plead Guilty in Federal Corruption, Drug Case

A former sheriff in South Carolina has agreed to plead guilty to stealing money from a benevolence fund meant for deputies and taking painkillers that were supposed to be destroyed in a drug take-back program, federal prosecutors said in filings made public this week. 

Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright, who led the department for more than 20 years, admitted in court filings that he pocketed donations meant to support deputies and abused his office to obtain oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Misuse of the benevolence fund

Prosecutors said Wright took money from the Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s Benevolence Fund in May 2023 under the pretense of covering travel expenses for deputies attending a Washington, D.C., memorial for a slain officer. Instead, Wright kept the cash for himself.

Court records also show Wright received a blank check from the fund, which he wrote out to his drug supplier in exchange for prescription pills.

Investigators said Wright and former sheriff’s chaplain Amos Durham siphoned more than $28,000 from the account between 2022 and 2025.

Fraudulent payroll scheme

Another co-defendant, Lawson Berry Watson, a relative of Wright, was hired by the sheriff in 2005 but never attended the state’s Criminal Justice Academy. Despite that, investigators said Watson was paid more than $200,000 over four years for work he never performed.

Painkillers from a DEA take-back program

Prosecutors also accused Wright of abusing a DEA “Drug Take Back Day” program, in which residents turn in unwanted prescriptions for disposal. Wright obtained at least 147 pain pills through the program, records show, but instead of destroying them, he used them himself.

Chimney Rock connection

Wright, who resigned in May citing health reasons, drew attention months earlier when he appeared in Chimney Rock Village, N.C., in October 2024 to assist with Hurricane Helene recovery at the request of a resident with close personal ties to him.

Credit card records and ethics probe

Wright’s downfall accelerated last year after he reportedly had spent more than $53,000 on his county-issued credit card over seven years, including charges for Apple products, high-end hotels, steakhouse meals, Amazon Prime subscriptions, streaming services, and a keto diet program.

Flight records suggested Wright used the sheriff’s office helicopter for personal trips unrelated to law enforcement.

The revelations triggered state and federal investigations and renewed scrutiny of Wright’s hiring of his own son as a deputy, which became part of a State Ethics Commission probe.

Guilty pleas and penalties

Wright agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation.

He faces a maximum combined penalty of nearly 30 years in prison, though legal experts expect a lighter sentence. He will also be required to pay at least $440,000 in restitution and forfeit all proceeds of the schemes. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Durham and Watson both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and face fines or prison time.