FIRST ON 3: Fired cop charged with embezzlement removed from state commission

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A former police officer charged with embezzling from a high school sports booster club has lost her position in a statewide group that helps oversee law enforcement standards.

Melissa Hinnant was removed yesterday as a member of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, according to NCDOJ spokeswoman Noelle Talley. According to Talley, Hinnant served on the commission as representative of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Women’s Association. Talley says that group’s president removed Hinnant as their representative yesterday. Hinnant was the NCLEWA’s vice president and had previously served as its treasurer.

Brunswick County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Hinnant yesterday and charged her with six counts of felony embezzlement. According to warrants, Hinnant, who was president of the South Brunswick High School Athletic Booster Club, used the clubs account at Lowe’s to get nearly $1,400 worth of items, including lawn chairs and landscaping, for herself.

Leland Police fired Hinnant this week after finding out she was the target of a criminal investigation and then charged. Hinnant had worked for LPD since January. Previously she had worked for the Southport Police Department.

According to Talley Hinnant began serving on the commission in August 2013. She was on the Commission’s Education & Training Committee, which hears reports on issues relating to course curricula and training programs.