Francis Highland is facing serious legal trouble with two felony charges for fraudulent actions involving less than $20,000, along with a misdemeanor charge for petit theft.
BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. — A correctional deputy in Bradford County has been terminated following allegations that he stole funds from an inmate at the jail, the sheriff’s office revealed on Thursday.
Highland is accused of committing two felonies related to fraudulently acquiring under $20,000, in addition to a misdemeanor charge for petit theft.
The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office reported that detectives were alerted to the matter on Wednesday around 6:30 p.m. when $550 was reported missing from an inmate account.
Upon investigating, the sheriff’s office conducted a computer audit which indicated that a correctional deputy might have deliberately withdrawn the funds from the jail’s banking system.
During an interview, after relinquishing his Miranda Rights, Highland admitted to taking the money, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Mr. Highland was immediately fired from the Sheriff’s Office and his corrections certification will be sent to FDLE to review for revocation,” BCSO said in a Facebook post. “He was booked into the Bradford County jail and transported to an area facility pending first appearance.”
Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith released the following statement after the sheriff’s office’s investigation was completed:
“To say I am disappointed is an understatement. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office strives to be professional and beyond reproach. This individual has not only violated his oath to God and country, he has dishonored himself. I immediately fired him and and will seek to revoke his law enforcement and correctional certifications.”
