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, 47, the elected Sheriff of Hot Spring County, during a hearing presided over by 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 facts from the 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 admitted to using crack cocaine and methamphetamine with the target. Additionally, Finkbeiner confessed to lying about his relationship with the target and the involvement of the Hot Spring County Sheriff's Department in an attempt to halt the FBI's investigation.
Sentencing for Finkbeiner is anticipated to occur in approximately four months. He faces up to five years in prison for his guilty plea. The sentence will be determined by Chief District Judge Susan Hickey 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 and is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Harris along with Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan Achorn and Trent Daniels.