![]() This distrust has made it more difficult for us to identify people in need because of people are less willing to give us the personal information needed to ensure they qualify for our food.”Ībston could likely start serving his time at the beginning of 2020, Ward said. In addition to causing undue stress amongst the citizens of Pickens County, his actions added to the distrust of law enforcement and government that exists today. ![]() “Due to his actions, many children, seniors, and families did not receive food intended to alleviate their hunger. He did not do that,” Rykaczewski wrote in her statment. “For 5 years, former Sheriff Abston purchased over 400,000 pounds of food, supposedly intending to distribute that food into the Gordo/Pickens County area in efforts to combat food insecurity in the area. In a victim impact statement filed in court, West Alabama Food Bank director Jean Rykaczewski said the financial impact of Abston’s actions were significant. “I think the outcome of the case shows that law enforcement officers who violate the public trust will be held accountable for their actions,” Ward said. Prosecutors claim the scam happened between 20, where he took over $400,000. Instead, he kept the leftover money for himself and wrote checks to purchase cheaper food for the inmates that was initially meant for the poor. Abston, who served as sheriff for 32 years, was arrested back in June and charged with defrauding the West Alabama Food Bank and his own church, the Highland Baptist Church of Gordo, by claiming to use the money to buy food to feed his inmates. On July 23, Abston pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. ![]() Ward, David Abston was sentenced to 18 months in prison during a court appearance in Birmingham Monday, as well as being ordered to pay $51,280.85 in restitution to the victims in the case.Ībston was initially looking at nearly 20 years in prison. (WIAT) - The former sheriff of Pickens County who pleaded guilty to scamming a local food bank to pocket money left over that was meant to feed inmates, will be spending over a year in jail.Īccording to Assistant U.S.
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