Metts 2nd attempt at guilty plea set for Dec. 30

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former Lexington County Sheriff James Metts is scheduled to be in court next week to again try to plead guilty to a charge he protected some people in this country illegally from possibly being deported.

A change in plea hearing for Metts is set for Dec. 30. On Monday, Metts and prosecutors agreed the former sheriff would plead guilty, this time with no recommended sentence.

Metts tried to plead guilty Dec. 17 as part of a deal with prosecutors that included a recommendation that he serve no jail time and three years of probation. A judge rejected the plea, saying he was uncomfortable with no prison time for Metts.

The recommended sentence for the charge Metts plans to plead guilty to is 10 months to 16 months in prison.