ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — In a significant development, the State Attorney’s Office has detained Anthony Cuthbert, previously a high-ranking official in the St. Augustine Police Department, as part of an inquiry into suspected financial mismanagement within the St. Augustine Police Benevolent Organization. This nonprofit entity, which operates independently from the city and its police department, receives its funding from officers and is not reliant on taxpayer money.

Cuthbert, 57, faces charges of grand theft exceeding $20,000 and organizing a scheme to defraud for amounts under $50,000. Official records indicate his arrest took place at the Putnam County Jail on Tuesday at 1:24 p.m., with his release following at 2:31 p.m., a little over an hour later.

The arrest warrant alleges that between January 1, 2020, and December 2, 2025, Cuthbert misappropriated $22,722 from the organization while serving as its treasurer, a role he held since 2003 until his retirement from the police force in November 2025.

The warrant further reveals that a detailed investigation uncovered that 177 checks were drawn from the organization’s account, all made out to Cuthbert, signed, endorsed, and deposited into his personal bank account. Additionally, investigators suspect that $17,632 in cash deposits into Cuthbert’s account may also belong to the organization.

According to the St. Augustine Police Department, the Police Benevolent Organization functions independently and serves to support officers and their families during times of need. The department informed First Coast News that the organization does not utilize public funds.

Police said the city and the department have no authority over or involvement in the administration or financial management of the benevolent organization and are cooperating fully with the investigation.