WPD deputy chief put on leave as SBI investigation requested

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A top member of WPD staff has been put on leave after Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous and District Attorney Ben David requested the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) conduct a criminal investigation into an alleged larceny by an employee at the Wilmington Police Department, according to a WPD news release.

WPD says it received a complaint in 2014 about possible misappropriation of city property, but it did not find sufficient evidence to launch an internal affairs investigation at that time. According to the department, a recent complaint submitted to the agency gave police enough information to launch an internal affairs investigation and now request assistance from the SBI. WPD says the formal request was forwarded to the SBI today in an official letter from David.

Deputy Chief Marshall Williamson, who is named in the letter as part of this investigation by the district attorney, is now on administrative leave with pay, WPD says. The department says Williamson is a 32-year veteran with the Wilmington Police Department and oversees the Patrol Services Bureau.

An e-mail obtained by WWAY that was reportedly sent last month to the SBI claims Williamson has signed out thousands of rounds of ammunition from the department for personal use. The e-mail alleges Williamson claimed the ammunition was for training, but that he did conduct any firearm training. Williamson could not immediately be reached for comment about the allegations or his being placed on leave.

WPD says all records and documents involved in this case are now a part of the SBI criminal investigation. Yesterday, media outlets including WWAY received requested copies of documents pertaining to purchases of ammunition by WPD over the last three years, but a WPD spokeswoman said requested a copies of ammunition sign-out logs would not be released because they were part of the department’s internal probe.

Working on a tip, last month WWAY asked WPD if an internal investigation of Williamson was underway. At the time, WPD spokeswoman Linda Rawley said there was not such an investigation. When asked yesterday if anything had changed regarding such an investigation, Rawley said she could not comment about personnel issues.

In his letter to the SBI, David says an internal affairs investigation is complete, and he asks the SBI to “take immediate possession of the WPD’s records that relate to this alleged criminal conduct.” He also asks the agency to “work with prosecutors with the Financial Crimes Unit of the Conference of District Attorneys to determine if any charges are warranted and for the prosecution of this matter in the event that charges are filed.” David told WWAY this means he is recusing his office from handling any potential criminal charges against Williamson.

WPD’s news release says that “(d)ue to personnel issues and the pending criminal investigation, we are unable to comment any further at this time.”