NC sheriff’s aide wants bribery sentence reversed

ASHEVILLE — A volunteer captain who helped a former North Carolina sheriff extort bribes from illegal gambling operators wants a judge to set aside his prison sentence.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Monday that 78-year-old Guy Penland filed a court petition from the Kentucky federal prison where he is serving a five-year sentence. Penland says his attorney refused to file an appeal without being paid more money, violating his constitutional rights.

Prosecutors say Penland collected protection money from video poker operators for former Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford, who pocketed more than $300,000 during his dozen years in office.

The 64-year-old Medford is serving 15 years in prison.

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