Former Pickens County sheriff sentenced for wire fraud, filing false tax returns

PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI) – A former Pickens County Sheriff was ordered to serve 18 months in prison.

David Abston was sentenced Monday morning in a Birmingham federal courtroom.

He pleaded guilty back in June to one count of wire fraud and filing false tax returns.

Prosecutors said Abston scammed a food bank and his church to get jail food at low cost and boost his income.

A state law, at the time, allowed sheriffs to pocket excess jail food funds.

Abston must pay $51,000 in restitution.

He was sheriff for over 30 years.