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SPARTANBURG, S.C. (BFMG) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has appointed a new interim sheriff for Spartanburg County following the resignation of longtime Sheriff Chuck Wright amid an ongoing investigation.
In Executive Order 2025-18, issued Thursday, McMaster named Jeffery F. Stephens, Chief Deputy of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, to serve as acting sheriff. Stephens will hold the position until a special election is held later this year.
State law mandates a special election if a vacancy in the sheriff’s office occurs more than one year before the next scheduled general election.
Stephens, a Boiling Springs resident, has been with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office since 2011. He previously spent 25 years with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, where he served as Commander of the Northern Command, overseeing law enforcement operations in 23 Upstate counties.
Stephens began his law enforcement career in 1980 with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and has also served with the Spartanburg Police Department.
This appointment comes on the heels of alleged fraudulent spending highlighted by Andrew Fancer of FITS News after the State Ethics Commission launched an investigation into the former sheriff in July of 2024 followed by multiple lawsuits and a criminal investigation in February of this year.
Spartanburg Councilman, Mo Abusaft told Fox Carolina that Sheriff Chuck Wright’s previous leave of absence was related to a health matter and cited a drug addiction. Council reportedly sent a letter to the former Sheriff last week announcing the council was no longer willing to pay him as he was not fulfilling his duties as Sheriff. He regained his authority over the county this past Friday followed by his resignation submitted to the Attorney General today.
