HOT SPRING COUNTY, Ark. — An Arkansas sheriff with the Hot Spring County Sheriff's Office has now released a statement in response to a document alleging that he misled federal investigators and warned a drug dealer, which then led to him being charged with obstruction of justice.
According to reports, 46-year-old Derek Scott Finkbeiner was arrested on November 2 and in court on Friday, Nov. 3 after the FBI said he interfered with an active drug investigation.
He is being charged in a criminal complaint with a single count of obstruction of justice. If convicted, he will face a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison.
Finkbeiner has also been accused of coercing an informant to do meth as well as perform sexual acts on him, according to an affidavit.
That document alleges that Finkbeiner misled federal investigators and warned a drug dealer, which then led to him being charged with obstruction of justice. Finkbeiner is also accused of using meth while in uniform, according to the affidavit.
The sheriff was released after the hearing on a $5,000 bond with certain stipulations such as not leaving that area of the state, not having a gun, and not being able to interact with witnesses.
In response to the allegations, Sheriff Scott Finkbeiner released a statement on Monday afternoon which said," I want to start by saying please pray for my family and friends! This has been a nightmare for all of us. We are working on my legal defense and I have been advised by legal counsel to not discuss my case until the appropriate time. However, I do want to emphatically say I did not obstruct justice in any way! 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! I will discuss more at a later date."
As of November 6, Finkbeiner has not resigned from his position as sheriff.
A grand jury will later listen to the case's evidence and determine whether additional criminal charges will be filed against Finkbeiner.
A federal district court judge will then determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.