COLUMBIA (AP) -- A federal judge has delayed the trial of a former South Carolina sheriff charged as part of a drug conspiracy.
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie on Tuesday set a September trial date for former Lee County Sheriff E.J. Melvin.
Melvin was arrested in May and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of powder cocaine and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. He could face 10 years to life in prison if convicted.
Federal agents also say Melvin took thousands of dollars to get drug or other criminal charges dropped and hundreds of dollars to fix tickets for four people since 2006.
Melvin resigned when he was arrested and has pleaded not guilty. He is free on bond and had no comment after court Tuesday.
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