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Florence County, SC
Sheriff’s department investigates one of its own for stealing drugs from evidence
Adam Moore Credit: FLORENCE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
FLORENCE, SC -- A sheriff's office crime scene technician is free on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond after he was arrested Thursday and charged with misconduct in office, possession of a controlled substance and theft of controlled substances.
Adam Moore, 29, 6415 Clearbrook Road, Effingham, was a corporal in the Florence County Sheriff’s Office forensics department until he was dismissed Thursday following an investigation that started two days earlier when he crashed his county-issued vehicle, according to Sheriff Kenney Boone. Deputies found controlled substances at the scene of the one-car wreck on U.S. Hwy. 301, and a criminal investigation was launched Wednesday.
Deputies questioned Moore, and search warrants were issued and served Thursday. Investigators found that for a “significant period of time,” Moore was stealing narcotics that were scheduled to be destroyed from the county evidence room. In a press conference Friday afternoon, Boone said the drugs were from closed cases and did not affect their outcomes. Moore had been with the sheriff’s office since 2001.
Investigators are waiting for results to see whether drugs were in his system at the time of the crash. "As long as I am your sheriff, I will not tolerate corruption or dishonesty. While this incident is certainly an embarrassment on our agency, we cannot let it overshadow the splendid work our deputies and investigators perform," Boone said.
The investigation is ongoing, though no additional charges are pending. Boone has instructed the department to treat Moore like any other citizen who breaks the law in Florence County with no preference or prejudice. Boone said he was devastated and surprised because Moore started his career with the agency and was well-liked and well-respected. Boone said, however, none of that matters now.
The department would not comment as to whether or not Moore had any previous infractions.
Boone said the department will begin looking for someone to fill the now-vacant position. A teary-eyed Moore spoke at his bond hearing Friday afternoon. He said, “I know that I have brought dishonor to the department and myself and my family and I’m very, very, very sorry for that. I had a problem. I have a problem. And I’ve got to get it fixed. And this is the first step.”
Previously he earned an Investigator of the Year award for the department.
Judge Belinda Timmons also got choked up when his parents asked for leniency based on his exemplary service in the past, despite his “poor choices over the past several years.”
Timmons said that as a parent, her “heart is just bleeding for the family.” Moore received a PR bond based on his cooperation with investigators and not being a flight risk.
Moore’s first court appearance for the three misdemeanor charges is June 27 with another hearing set for August 24.
Adam Moore hangs his head after receiving bond a $10,000 PR bond in a hearing... Credit: ELLEN MEDER/ MORNING NEWS
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