Posted 2:22 pm Friday, January 21, 2011
Anderson Co. Sheriff's Secretary Fired For Allegedly Stealing Crime Stoppers Money
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
PALESTINE — The Anderson County Sheriff's personal secretary has been terminated and may face criminal charges after she fraudulently collected money from a Crime Stopper tipster's fund.
Staff Writer
PALESTINE — The Anderson County Sheriff's personal secretary has been terminated and may face criminal charges after she fraudulently collected money from a Crime Stopper tipster's fund.
Palestine Police Det. James Muniz said his office is working on the case after receiving a complaint from a Crime Stoppers' tipster whose reward had been paid out before he went to collect it at a local bank.
“When this subject went to pick up the reward he was told that someone had already picked up the money,” he said.
Muniz said the investigation led detectives to the bank where they were able to obtain information that led them to Terry Raybin, an employee of the Anderson County Sheriff's Office. Evidence was obtained that indicated that Mrs. Raybin was involved in the offense.
Muniz said Mrs. Raybin was able to obtain information on the tips that were to be paid out due to her position at the ACSO, which allowed her access to the crime stoppers information.
“There is no indication that any other persons at the ACSO were involved in this incident or that any other employees had knowledge of the incident. The investigation is ongoing and will be submitted to the district attorney's office for disposition upon completion of said investigation,” he said.
Sheriff Greg Taylor said he believes the case should be presented to a grand jury for a decision on whether charges should be filed or not.
“Everyone here at this office is shocked. She was a trusted employee who was my personal assistant for the past several years,” he said.
Taylor said Mrs. Raybin was a good person, who he believed made a mistake.
“Letting her go was like letting my sister go if I had a sister working here. She always worked hard and had a good heart, but good people make mistakes,” he said.
Taylor said he did not know much about the investigation, but he say the woman had never displayed any criminal character.
“She is telling us she did this because she was trying to help a family member who was in a bind out. But regardless of her reasons, nothing excuses theft,” he said.
Any person that thinks that they were defrauded in a similar manner should call Det. James Muniz at 903-731-8479 or e-mail at jomuniz@palestine-tx.org. Anyone calling may remain anonymous but should be able to provide sufficient information that they were also a victim.
Muniz said the investigation led detectives to the bank where they were able to obtain information that led them to Terry Raybin, an employee of the Anderson County Sheriff's Office. Evidence was obtained that indicated that Mrs. Raybin was involved in the offense.
Muniz said Mrs. Raybin was able to obtain information on the tips that were to be paid out due to her position at the ACSO, which allowed her access to the crime stoppers information.
“There is no indication that any other persons at the ACSO were involved in this incident or that any other employees had knowledge of the incident. The investigation is ongoing and will be submitted to the district attorney's office for disposition upon completion of said investigation,” he said.
Sheriff Greg Taylor said he believes the case should be presented to a grand jury for a decision on whether charges should be filed or not.
“Everyone here at this office is shocked. She was a trusted employee who was my personal assistant for the past several years,” he said.
Taylor said Mrs. Raybin was a good person, who he believed made a mistake.
“Letting her go was like letting my sister go if I had a sister working here. She always worked hard and had a good heart, but good people make mistakes,” he said.
Taylor said he did not know much about the investigation, but he say the woman had never displayed any criminal character.
“She is telling us she did this because she was trying to help a family member who was in a bind out. But regardless of her reasons, nothing excuses theft,” he said.
Any person that thinks that they were defrauded in a similar manner should call Det. James Muniz at 903-731-8479 or e-mail at jomuniz@palestine-tx.org. Anyone calling may remain anonymous but should be able to provide sufficient information that they were also a victim.
