UPDATE: Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess held a press conference in regards to Sheriff Robert Arnold being jailed Wednesday (9/28/16) 11min/45sec:
It was confirmed that Sheriff Arnold will continue to receive his paycheck from the Sheriff's Office while jailed until his court date. It was also confirmed that Chief Deputy Randy Garrett is now in charge of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office while the Sheriff is behind bars.
Mayor Burgess stated (14 sec):
Deputy Chief Garrett is the second highest ranking member of the Sheriff's Office and Mayor Burgess confirmed that state law requires for the second in command to lead the Sheriff's post should the sheriff become incapacitated in some way, unable to lead the office. However, the change in command is only temporary until the federal trial is over. That trial is again on February 7, 2016.
The pay will remain in place until Sheriff Arnold resigns or if he is convicted of a felony in a court of law. Of course, Arnold will be facing serious charges in court in 2017 that could lead to a felony conviction. If convicted, Sheriff Arnold will be forced to leave his post.
Full details on Sheriff Arnold being jailed:
US Magistrate Judge Alistair Newbern revoked the bond of Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold, he was handcuffed in the courtroom and led away. Arnold will be incarcerated until his federal court trial set for February 7, 2017. That places Chief Deputy Randy Garrett in command. After that, the county commission has the power to name a temporary sheriff to serve Arnold's remaining term. However, that phase likely would not happen until after the results of the federal trial.
Sheriff Arnold had a six-hour federal hearing on Tuesday (9/27/2016) that dealt with allegations that he abused his wife Megan Arnold. The allegations arose after an alleged argument in the Arnold household on Labor Day, September 5, 2016.
Judge Newbern ruled that she had too much evidence to go over and study to make a quick decision. That is why Sheriff Arnold remained free overnight, and appeared again Wednesday in Nashville's federal courts.
Arnold was on bond when the domestic incident reportedly occurred as he awaits a federal trial that will take place in February of 2017. You may recall that Arnold was indicted earlier this year on 14 charges of honest services fraud; mail fraud; wire fraud; bribery concerning federal programs; extortion under color of official right; obstruction of justice; and conspiracy.
Arnold appeared again in court today (on Wednesday 9/28/16) to hear from the judge in regards to him allegedly violating the conditions of his bond. The judge ruled on Wednesday that Sheriff Arnold did indeed violate his bond conditions. The Sheriff of Rutherford County will now remain behind bars until the date of his trial on February 7, 2017.
Prior to Wednesday:
Prior to Wednesday (9/28/16), Sheriff Arnold was allowed to remain free on bond while awaiting his federal trial set for February of 2017 as long as he did not violate the conditions of his release. The state argued on Tuesday (9/27/16) that Arnold's bond conditions should be revoked due to the allegations about him violating the conditions of his release during the alleged domestic violence incident. The judge ruled on Wednesday morning that Arnold did violate his bond conditions and he was cuffed and sent to jail.
14 Count Federal Indictment:
Sheriff Arnold will face a 14 count federal indictment on February 7, 2017 in Nashville. The 14-count indictment charges Arnold, Joe Russell (Chief Deputy of Administration at the Sheriff's Office) and John Vanderveer (Arnolds uncle) with honest services fraud; mail fraud; wire fraud; bribery concerning federal programs; extortion under color of official right; obstruction of justice; and conspiracy.
The actual statement involving the reported events on September 5, 2016:
"On September 20, 2016, the defendant's wife, Megan Arnold, met with a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) special agent. During the meeting, Mrs. Arnold reviewed a statement prepared by the TBI, based on her previous conversations with the agent, which indicated the defendant had physically abused her. Although Mrs. Arnold acknowledged that the statement was accurate, she declined to sign it. Reportedly, on September 5, 2016, the family visited a friend's residence for a social gathering, where the defendant consumed alcoholic beverages. Upon returning home, the defendant continued to consume alcohol and an Ambien sleeping pill. Mrs. Arnold related that she became intimate with the defendant as a way to make him go to bed because he gets angry easily when he has been drinking. Due to the defendant's intoxicated state, Mrs. Arnold stated that she discontinued her interaction with the defendant, and he went to their bedroom to be alone. Mrs. Arnold attempted to go into their bedroom, but the defendant attempted to push the door closed while she attempted to push the door open. After a period of time, Mrs. Arnold reached through the door opening, twisted the defendant's nipple, and he released the door. Consequently, the defendant pushed Mrs. Arnold to the floor and punched her in her right arm near her shoulder. Mrs. Arnold kicked the defendant, and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the defendant grabbed a belt and wrapped it around Mrs. Arnold in an attempt to drag her out of the room without leaving marks on her body. Mrs. Arnold slipped out of the belt, and the defendant pinned her on the bed with his body. Mrs. Arnold related the defendant said if he were to place all of his body weight on her that she would stop breathing. Eventually, the defendant got up and Mrs. Arnold went to another part of the house.
In a recorded conversation between Mrs. Arnold and a third party, Mrs. Arnold stated that she wanted to make a statement to the police, but she is scared of the defendant. She advised the party on the telephone that the defendant shoved her down and punched her in the arm. She added that the defendant wrapped a belt around her in an effort to not physically touch her and leave marks on her body. Mrs. Arnold indicated the defendant also hit her on the leg with the belt."
Court records also showed, "She fears for her safety and that of her children. And Arnold has warned her that she "would lose the house and everything [she has] ever had" if he goes to jail. In addition, she has expressed concern that, even if she comes forward, Arnold would not ultimately be sent to jail."
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