U.S. indicts Virginia sheriff on racketeering, conspiracy charges

10/23/2008

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. A Virginia sheriff faces racketeering, conspiracy, and other charges stemming from accusations that he took bribes in exchange for promising not to interfere with a cockfighting ring.

A 22-count indictment against Page County Sheriff Daniel W. Presgraves unsealed Thursday also accuses him of intimidating potential witnesses. The indictment alleges he sexually assaulted and harassed four female employees, harassed seven others, and intimidated another.

Sheriff Presgraves, 46, pleaded not guilty at a court appearance and was released on $50,000 bond. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 304 years in prison.

U.S. Magistrate B. Waugh Crigler warned he would not hesitate to throw Mr. Presgraves in jail if he violates an order not to carry out his duties as sheriff while the case is pending.

He s not going to parade around in Page County in a sheriff s uniform or in a sheriff s car, Judge Crigler said. If I was indicted, do you think they d let me put on a black cape and do this job? I don t think so.

Mr. Presgraves attorney, David Barger, did not officially object but told the judge the sheriff was re-elected under the cloud of this investigation and that the order essentially voids the citizens votes.

Certainly there are allegations in there that, in my opinion, are done just to titillate the public and that s too bad, Mr. Barger said outside the courtroom.

Acting U.S. Attorney Julia Dudley and said at a news conference earlier in the day that the bribes were just the outer layer of criminal activities uncovered during the investigation.

It s a very sad day when we have to stand before you to report that a federal grand jury has found sufficient cause to return an indictment against an elected public official, Ms. Dudley said.

According to Ms. Dudley, the sheriff accepted at least two $500 bribes from operators of the Little Boxwood cockfighting pit near Stanley, Va. Several people have already pleaded guilty to participating in the cockfighting ring, and one is awaiting trial.

The sheriff also is accused of intimidating witnesses in the federal investigation, demanding that they take their knowledge of his activities to the grave.

The indictment alleges that from 2001 to 2004, he deposited more than $100,000 in public funds into a personal account and that he used Page County jail inmates to work on his and relatives properties. He even contacted state prison officials and persuaded them not to transfer inmates so they could keep working for him, the indictment says.

The lawman was a state Alcoholic Beverage Control agent for 15 years before being elected sheriff in 2000.