Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison in Public Corruption Scheme

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Charles Wright, 61, of Wellford, the former sheriff of Spartanburg County, has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Chaplain's Benevolence Fund is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to SCSO deputies and their families during times of need, such as bereavement, financial difficulties, and traumatic line-of-duty events. Wright, in his capacity as sheriff, hired Amos Durham as the director of the Benevolence Fund. In that position, Durham was responsible for overseeing the fund. Wright then directed Durham to withdraw cash and right checks to Wright, which Wright used for his own personal enrichment and not for deputies and their families in need. When one employee's family approached the Benevolence Fund for help covering hospice bills, they were turned away because the fund was empty. When another deputy asked for assistance with bills associated with a tree that fell on the deputy's house, they were also turned away. Around the same time, Wright took more than $89,000 donated cash from the Benevolence Fund for his private use. Wright used for personal purchases and expenses, to include hotel rooms, food, and travel bills. Wright also charged more than $17,000 in personal expense on the county credit card, including for fitness programs, Apple products, online games, and streaming platform subscriptions.

Wright also employed and paid his cousin, Lawson Watson, at least $200,000 in taxpayer funds for a no-show job across a four-year period. In March 2005, Wright hired Watson as an employee of the SCSO. Watson received a full salary and benefits for work that he did not perform from at least January 2021 through March 2025. Wright knew that his cousin was not working and he allowed Watson to continue to fraudulently receive a paycheck and benefits for work that he did not perform. Wright further provided his cousin the use of a county vehicle and county phone for the cousin to use at a private job.

Wright also obtained controlled substances under false pretenses. Wright repeatedly obtained oxycodone and hydrocodone pills fraudulently by misleading numerous employees and members of the public, seeking them out to turn over prescription pills over to Wright for what he claimed was part of the SCSO "take back" narcotic disposal program. In truth, Wright obtained the narcotics for his own personal use. He targeted many at SCSO and in his community who were suffering loss and medical hardship-including at funerals, at church, and following surgery-whom he knew would have pills. Wright, while in uniform, badge on chest and service weapon on his hip, purchased drugs from a street-level pill dealer on several occasions in the SCSO parking lot.

"Wright's abuses represent a grave violation of public trust. He let down the people who elected him to serve," said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. "The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate public corruption and hold those who abuse their positions of power accountable."

"Today's sentencing reaffirms that honor and integrity remain core traits of wearing a law enforcement badge," said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore. "There is a real cost for tarnishing the badge and the trust it represents, and former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright will now face that consequence. The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure elected officials are held accountable for crimes-especially when their actions erode the public's trust."

"My office was proud to partner with law enforcement at SLED and the FBI who investigated this matter as well as our counterparts at the U.S. Attorney's Office to prosecute this case and ensure that justice was done," stated 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black. "Public trust in our institutions cannot be undermined, and today's sentence should send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated."

Chief United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Wright to 41 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Wright's two co-defendants, Amos Durham and Lawson Watson, are scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, July 9.

The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lothrop Morris and Criminal Chief Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case.

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