Agitation Muzzles - Page 1

Now that all three of the defendants have been arraigned in federal court, a tentative trial date of Feb. 5 has been set for former Henry County Sheriff David Bumpus, former sheriff's department budget director Faye Scott, both of Paris; and former Elite Firearms owner Samuel Ferren of Boaz, Kentucky.

The nine-count federal indictment issued Nov. 20 charged Bumpus and Scott with committing various criminal acts while employed with the Henry County Sheriff's Department and Ferren while employed with Elite.

Specifically, all three were charged with mail fraud, conspiracy and theft involving an alleged scheme in which firearms, ammunition, bulletproof vests and other supplies were purchased in the name of the Henry County Sheriff's Department. According to indictment, the supplies then were converted to their personal use.

Ferren was the last of the three to appear for his arraignment, and like the other two pleaded not guilty. Bumpus was arraigned Nov. 21; Scott appeared Nov. 22 and Ferren made his appearance Dec. 5.

The trial date has tentatively been set for Feb. 5 before Judge James Todd in Jackson. A motion hearing will be held Jan. 19. All three were released on their own recognizance.

The charge of conspiracy carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each count of mail fraud carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and the charge of theft carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.