SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges, officials confirmed on Thursday.
Wright is accused of wire fraud conspiracy, obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, and conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Former Chaplain Amos Durham and Lawson Berry Watson, a relative of Wright, are also named in the indictment.
Durham resigned from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office in early May.
The three men have reportedly reached a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. They were ordered to forfeit any property or proceeds as a result of the offenses.
The men will have a court hearing to formally enter guilty pleas, however, they have notified officials they intend to do that.
FOX Carolina News reached out to Wright’s attorneys who declined to comment for now. We also reached out to Wright himself and to Amos Durham, but we have not heard back.
Sources confirmed to FOX Carolina Investigates earlier this year that an active FBI probe was underway involving Wright.
SUDDEN RESIGNATION
Questions have surrounded the former sheriff since he took an abrupt leave of absence on April 1.
Wright confirmed to FOX Carolina Investigates that he resumed his full duties on May 16. Spartanburg County Councilman Mo Abusaft said Wright’s return came after leaders sent him a letter saying his pay would be stopped in 10 days.
In an exclusive interview with FOX Carolina Investigates on May 20, Wright said it was “wonderful” to be back in office and that meeting with his deputies again was “glorious.”
However, suddenly on May 23, Wright submitted a letter of resignation to Governor Henry McMaster’s Office on May 23, citing a “recent health diagnosis.” SC Criminal Justice Academy records stated the resignation was voluntary.
MULTIPLE INVESTIGATIONS
In addition to the federal investigation, Wright is also the subject of an investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the State Ethics Commission.
In June, FOX Carolina Investigates got a copy of a letter from Attorney General Alan Wilson that listed the four charges SLED recommended for Wright: misconduct of a public officer, use of official position for financial gain, obtaining certain drugs by fraud or deceit and breach of trust with fraudulent intent.
It will be up to 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black to pursue any state level charges.
On Sept. 23, the State Ethics Commission made public four complaints against Wright after they found probable cause for nepotism and alleged misuse of his county credit card.
WRIGHT’S HISTORY
Wright served as the Spartanburg County sheriff from 2004 to 2025. He is a native of Spartanburg County’s Startex community and became a deputy in 1986.
Wright’s largest case was the arrest of serial killer Todd Kohlhepp in 2016. Deputies swarmed a 100-acre property near Woodruff where they found a missing woman chained up in a shipping container and multiple bodies buried on the property.
Kohlhepp later confessed to a quadruple killing at Superbike Motorsports in 2003.
The case put Wright in the national spotlight.
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