Jackson reported to Butner Correctional Center on October 29, 2013, to serve a 30 month prison sentence in the minimum security facility. Auction halted after authenticity comes into question (2013) In September 2013, U.S. Marshals canceled an auction of forfeited assets to regain part of the $750,000 in campaign funds Jackson and his wife reportedly spent illegally on memorabilia, furs, vacations and other personal items. It was canceled "out of an abundance of caution" because of questions about a guitar supposedly signed by Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen, which prosecutors say Jackson bought with campaign money for $4,000.

In September 2013, U.S. Marshals canceled an auction of forfeited assets to regain part of the $750,000 in campaign funds Jackson and his wife reportedly spent illegally on memorabilia, furs, vacations and other personal items. It was canceled "out of an abundance of caution" because of questions about a guitar supposedly signed by Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen, which prosecutors say Jackson bought with campaign money for $4,000.

On August 14, 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Jackson to 30 months in prison, following his guilty plea that he engaged in a scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items. Jackson and his wife, Sandra Stevens Jackson, pleaded guilty in February 2013 to using about $750,000 in campaign funds to pay for high-end items. “I misled the American people, I misled the House of Representatives. I was wrong and I do not fault anyone,” Jackson told Judge Amy Berman Jackson at the sentencing. Judge Amy Berman Jackson said that as a public official, Jackson was supposed to live up to a higher standard. His wife, who also plead guilty to the charges, was sentenced to 12 months. Reported to prison Jackson reported to Butner Correctional Center on October 29, 2013, to serve a 30 month prison sentence in the minimum security facility.