Former Buncombe County Sheriff Found Guilty in Federal Court

In a case that sounded more like Sopranos Episode than police activity, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s department received a black eye this week as former Sheriff Bobby Medford was convicted of using his high position in the Sheriff’s Department for purposes of extortion focused on businesses that ran illegal gambling operations. He also was found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to start an illegal gambling operation in the Asheville area.

Mr. Medford made approximately $550,000 over the course of his tenure as Buncombe County Sheriff, as indicated by various witnesses at his trial. Witnesses also stated that he spent 162 days with out leave from his job gambling at Harrah’s in Cherokee, North Carolina. Perhaps Medford should have taken a job in Nevada where a man can gamble in peace.

The former Sheriff has been on trail in Federal Court since April 29th. More than 24 others have already been found or pleaded guilty since the trial started. Medford could face life in Federal Prison when his sentencing date rolls around. His co-conspirator and department Volunteer Captain, Guy Penland was implicated in the scam as well.

This is not the first time Medford has been suspected of questionable activities, though it is the first time he has been convicted. When the county finance audited the sheriffs department’s evidence room. The room was missing seized money, guns and confiscated drugs. We’re not talking about a few missing items either- at least 50 percent of the contraband was simply not there. The estimated value of the missing items was about 220,000 dollars. Some of the missing evidence included 233 pistols, 114 rifles and shotguns and a large amount of drugs. To this the audited stated “poor inventory management”. I would say poor isn’t even the word for it; “corrupt inventory management” would be more accurate in my opinion.

Medford, after thinking fast came up with a foolproof alibi, “The guns were buried in concrete under the new jail addition”. At least then anyone that would want to verify his story would have to rent a jackhammer and spend millions rebuilding the addition. Medford then rebuked a local reporter when asked about the missing contraband; the ex-sheriff’s reply was simple and yet very articulate. “If I had any goddamned money I wouldn’t be living in any $350-per-month apartment.” He said. He went on to accuse the county for the missing evidence by failing to allocate funds to renovate the evidence room.