Breaking: Judge Denies Metts plea deal in bribery case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – A federal judge denied Wednesday a plea deal from former Lexington County Sheriff James Metts that would have kept the longtime lawman from going to prison. Prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to ask U.S. District Judge Terry Wooten to sentence Metts to three years probation for stepping in to keep two men in the country illegally from ending up in a federal database. Prosecutors said Wednesday the charges would normally carry up to 16 months in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson says Metts’ crimes were so minor, and his community service was so outstanding, that prosecutors decided to offer a plea with no jail time. Metts’ attorney says the government’s case is weak and the sheriff took the deal to put the charge behind him.