EL DORADO – A Malvern man entered a plea of guilty today to one count of Engaging in a Scheme to Conceal a Material Fact from a Governmental Agency. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the change of plea hearing, which took place in the United States District Court in El Dorado.
According to the plea agreement, Derek “Scott” Finkbeiner, age 47 the elected Sheriff of Hot Spring County (Malvern), admitted that from approximately August 19, 2023, through August 24, 2023, he intentionally misled and concealed material facts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about the true nature of his relationship with a target of an FBI investigation. Finkbeiner admitted that he was present at the target’s residence when the FBI conducted a controlled purchase of narcotics and that he “smoked” crack cocaine and methamphetamine with the target. Further, Finkbeiner admitted that once he learned of the FBI’s investigation, he intentionally lied about the nature of his and the Hot Spring County Sheriff Department’s relationship with the target, all in an effort to convince the FBI to cease its investigation.
Finkbeiner’s sentencing is expected to take place in approximately four months. Finkbeiner faces a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison for the crime to which he plead guilty. Chief District Judge Susan Hickey will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Harris and Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan Achorn and Trent Daniels of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas are prosecuting the case.
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