Correction: The original story said that James Bartee pleaded guilty. He was actually convicted by a Oconee County jury in 2013.
Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
James Bartee, a former Secret Service agent, wanted so much to be sheriff that he was allegedly was willing to pay an informant to kidnap a former judge who was going to challenge his credentials for the sheriff position, the Associated Press reports.
The 55-year-old, who spent more than two decades with the U.S. Secret Service, was running for Oconee County sheriff when authorities said he was concerned a former judge would reveal during a hearing that Bartee didn’t have the qualifications for the top law enforcement position.
Bartee ended up allegedly paying an informant to kidnap the former judge.
He was found guilty of solicitation to commit a felony and sentenced to five years in prison and five years of probation.
