Ex-sheriff Chuck Wright pleads guilty to federal charges

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright pleaded guilty to federal charges on Thursday.

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

He faces up to 20 years in prison and fines for the charges.

According to the charging documents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Wright “abused his position as elected Sheriff... to siphon money from Spartanburg County.”

Investigators said Wright stole funds from the agency’s Benevolence Fund and use the money to buy pain pills.

The plea hearing was set for 10 a.m. FOX Carolina’s Grace Runkel was in the courtroom and said Wright discussed his battle with opioid addiction.

“My client acknowledged that he’d made mistakes that are very obvious from the public record,” said attorney Frank Epps, who is representing Wright. “And we have decided to go forward with a plea as quickly as possible to get this matter resolved as quickly as possible.”

The ex-sheriff said he also suffered a heart attack earlier this year.

Attorney Trey Gowdy provided reporters with this statement on behalf of Wright after the hearing:

“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."

Statement of Chuck Wright | Oct. 30, 2025

Former Spartanburg County Chaplain Amos Durham and Lawson Berry “LB” Watson, a relative of Wright and a former sheriff’s office employee, were also named in the indictment and entered guilty pleas.

Durham faces a maximum of 5 years in prison. Watson faces a maximum of 20 years.

A sentencing date for Wright, Durham and Watson has not yet been set.

Wright and his co-defendants were arraigned on Monday. Wright was granted a $25,000 unsecured bond and ordered to participate in a substance abuse program.

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