Your News Now at Six
It’s been almost three years since Sam Crish resigned as Allen County Sheriff. On Thursday he was sentenced to 11 years and four months in federal prison for his role in bribery and extortion.
Crish accepted a plea deal in March which saw him plead guilty to two counts of extortion, two counts of bribery and one count of making a false statement. He was also sentenced to pay back $606,221 in restitution. We don’t know how many victims there were because those documents were sealed.
No cameras were allowed inside the courtroom, but we were able to see Crish as he entered and exited the federal courthouse. During the hearing he did express remorse saying he admits full responsibility and created a lot of pain for a lot of people. Crish hoped somewhere down the line he could be a guide for fellow gambling addicts. He also said his main focus is on the victims. He hoped for a lenient sentence to get back to work and begin repaying the victims back.
The judge felt Crish was sincere, but he wanted to make an example of him. The judge hopes this case works as a way to deter the public from committing any such crimes especially while holding public office.
Crish’s attorney Michael Rumer declined to make any comments after the sentencing. Crish has three days to report to begin serving his sentence.
Crish was facing a handful of civil lawsuits some have been resolved but court documents are unclear on what’s left to iron out.
Your News Now at Five
The former Allen County Sheriff gets over 11 years in federal prison for multiple charges of extortion and soliciting bribes.
Sam Crish was sentenced in federal court to 136 months in prison and he has been ordered to pay back $606,000 in restitution to his victims.
Investigators say that Crish would offer to help suspects facing charges or those dealing with child custody issues and then ask for a loan, as well as, take out loans from individuals under false pretenses.
Authorities say he also took $50,000 from someone who was hired at the county jail. Crish, who resigned as sheriff in 2017 following an FBI raid, has said that he had a gambling addiction.
Previous coverage: U.S. Attorneys make recommendations before Crish sentencing next week
