Former deputy arrested
By John Joyce
Published in News on October 12, 2013 11:57 PM
The State Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of a former Wayne County Sheriff's deputy Friday.
Randy Avon Thompson, 34, 4709 Indian Springs Road, faces four counts each of obstruction of justice and stealing, altering or destroying evidence, officials with Attorney General Roy Cooper's office said.
He is free on a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Sheriff Carey Winders said that until his office received reports of wrongdoing, he thought Thompson, who had been employed as a deputy since 2003, was a "pretty good officer."
"He was a K-9 officer and worked with the dogs," Winders said.
But allegations against Thompson surfaced in June 2012, and an internal investigation began, according to a press release issued by the sheriff's office.
Winders said he could not go into detail about the case.
"That's a personnel matter," Winders said.
Further accusations came to light a month later, prompting Thompson to resign -- and, ultimately, become the subject of an internal investigation.
The SBI assumed control of the investigation into Thompson's activities at the request of the sheriff's office, culminating in Friday's arrest.
Winders said he did not expect there to be any additional charges.
Thompson's first appearance in Wayne County Superior Court is Monday.