The Columbus Ledger-Enqurier reports that in pleading guilty Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Clay Land at the federal courthouse in Columbus, Charlie Stephens admitted that as a part-time deputy he in April arranged to seize $8,000 during a traffic stop and split it with a man who told Stephens he was transporting the cash for a drug deal.
Stephens, one of three sheriff’s employees the FBI charged with extortion by a public official for taking what they were told was drug money, will remain free on $10,000 bond until his sentencing on April 5.
