Metts to plead guilty, deal calls for probation

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Suspended Lexington County Sheriff James Metts has agreed to plead guilty in a bribery case involving protecting people in the country illegally from deportation. A plea agreement for Metts was filed Tuesday in federal court. In it, Metts’ attorneys and prosecutors say they agree Metts should serve three years of probation and no jail time. A judge will make the final decision on Metts’ sentence. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. Metts was indicted on 10 charges in June and suspended. At the time, he was the state’s longest-serving sheriff, with 42 years in office. The deal says remaining charges will be dropped. The agreement says Metts will plead guilty to conspiracy to harbor certain aliens. Authorities say Metts took an envelope of cash from a restaurant owner.