A former sheriff of Hot Spring County, Arkansas, has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for concealing material facts from a government agency. Derek “Scott” Finkbeiner, 47, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term. The sentencing took place before Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey at the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.
Finkbeiner began serving as sheriff in January 2023. According to court documents, by May 2023, federal agents had become aware that he was using crack cocaine and methamphetamine. In August 2023, after learning about a federal investigation into his drug supplier, Finkbeiner took steps to mislead federal agents about his relationship with the individual under investigation.
Investigators found that between August 19 and August 24, 2023, Finkbeiner intentionally concealed information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding his connection to the target of their investigation. He admitted being present during an FBI-controlled purchase of narcotics at the target’s residence and acknowledged using crack cocaine and methamphetamine with the individual. Finkbeiner also admitted lying about both his own and the Hot Spring County Sheriff Department’s relationship with the target in an attempt to convince investigators to stop their inquiry.
“U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation into this case.
“First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Harris and Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan Achorn and Trent Daniels of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas prosecuted the case.”
