Former Cherokee Sheriff's Deputy Indicted on Theft Charges

A former deputy with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office has been indicted on charges she allegedly lied about needing time off for military training when she was no longer an active service member.

A Cherokee County grand jury on Monday indicted Brittany Leah Martin on one count each of theft by deception and violation of oath by public officer charges, according to court documents.

According to the indictment, Martin “unlawfully obtained” $1,824.37 from the county when she said she was attending military training “when said accused was in fact absent from work for personal reasons and not under orders from the military.”

The indictment also says Martin allegedly violated her oath of office when she provided “false information to said accuser’s employer regarding orders for military duty to receive military pay from Cherokee County” she was not entitled to.

Lt. Jay Baker, spokesperson with the sheriff’s office, said Martin, who was hired in June 2009 and assigned to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, submitted the request for leave, which the agency granted.

However, she was no longer an active member of the military, Baker stated. The agency learned of the discrepancy and launched its investigation in November 2013. Martin was subsequently fired on Dec. 6, 2013.

Court records show Martin was arrested and charged with theft by deception and violation of oath by public officer the same day her employment was terminated. She later posted a $20,912 bond.

Photo: Brittany Leah Martin. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff’s Office