David Clay Fowlkes, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas
A Malvern, Arkansas man has pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a scheme to conceal a material fact from a governmental agency. The plea was entered by Derek "Scott" Finkbeiner, the elected Sheriff of Hot Spring County, before Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey in the United States District Court in El Dorado.
Finkbeiner admitted that between August 19 and August 24, 2023, he misled and concealed material facts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding his relationship with a target of an FBI investigation. He acknowledged being present at the target's residence during an FBI-controlled narcotics purchase and using crack cocaine and methamphetamine with the target. Finkbeiner further confessed to lying about his and the Hot Spring County Sheriff's Department's relationship with the target to persuade the FBI to stop its investigation.
Sentencing for Finkbeiner is anticipated in approximately four months. He faces up to five years in prison for his guilty plea. Chief District Judge Susan Hickey will determine the sentence after reviewing U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Harris, along with Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan Achorn and Trent Daniels from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas, are prosecuting this case.
