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U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney's Office 800 Federal Office Building Ph: (901) 544-4231
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PRESS RELEASE |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LEIGH ANNE JORDON (901) 544-4231 |
Former Henry County Sheriff Indicted by Federal Grand Jury
Jackson, TN- David Kustoff, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment against David Leon Bumpus and Faye C. Scott of Henry County, Tennessee, and Samuel J. Ferren, of Boaz, Kentucky. The indictment charges Bumpus and Scott with committing various criminal acts while employed at the Henry County Sheriff’s Department and Ferren while employed at Elite Firearms and Supplies.
The nine count indictment alleges that Bumpus, Scott, and Ferren conspired to violate and violated the federal mail fraud statute by purchasing firearms, ammunition, vests, and other supplies in the name of the Henry County Sheriff’s Department and using the items for personal use, in violation of Title 18, Unites States Code, Section 371, Section 1341 and Section 2. The indictment further alleges that the defendants submitted false and fraudulent invoices to Henry County for payment on these items that were intended for personal use. The indictment further states that Bumpus, Scott and Ferren diverted and stole goods from the Henry County Sheriff’s Department for personal use, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666 and Section 2.
The charge of conspiracy carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each count of mail fraud carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and the charge of theft carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The indictment further alleges that Ferren and Bumpus knowingly entered false records as to the sale of a handgun in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(m). The indictment states that Ferren represented records to show that a handgun was sold to a third party when in fact the handgun was sold to Bumpus. This charge carries a penalty of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Kustoff said, “The United States Attorney’s Office takes seriously allegations of fraud and abuse by elected officials. Our office will continue to diligently and vigilantly prosecute those who violate the public trust.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Larry Laurenzi is handling the case for the Government.
Note: Charges brought against a person through an indictment are accusations only. That person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty