Wake County deputy arrested and fired over alleged fraud

WAKE COUNTY, NC (WTVD) — A now-former Wake County sheriff’s deputy is facing criminal charges after he allegedly used government computers to engage in fraud and to obstruct justice while on the job.

Court documents say 29-year-old Anthony Jose Garcia improperly used government property and computer systems to tip off a wanted person about active felony warrants.

Documents show he did so “in secrecy and with malice.”

Garcia was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of obstruction of justice and one count of accessing government computers for fraud.

On Friday, Garcia’s attorney appeared in court on his behalf.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said her staff notified her on Friday that Garcia had active cases and her staff identified fewer than two dozen cases to review in a preliminary investigation.

Freeman said Garcia’s cases are going to be reviewed by her office, and a determination will be made whether any will be dismissed.

“There are times when we’ve had to dismiss cases that we’ve clearly believed that the person should face justice, who is charged, but we no longer have an officer who we can call a witness in a case,” Freeman said. “We’re not sure that’s where we are yet. This is too early to tell in this particular situation, but yes, it can be extremely frustrating and disappointing.”

Garcia is out of jail on a $30,000 bond.

Garcia is no longer employed by the sheriff’s office. He was hired at WCSO in August 2020.

The case remains under investigation, the sheriff’s office said.