Former NC sheriff’s captain accused of taking cash from evidence safe

The arrest is a result of a State Bureau of Investigation probe into evidence that was missing from the Columbus County Sheriff's Office

June 9, 2017

WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WECT) — A former captain with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office has been accused of stealing money from the evidence safe at the Columbus County Sheriff's Office.

David Gerald Nobles Jr. was arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with embezzlement by a public official/trustee. His bond was set at $100,000.

According to online records, Nobles bonded shortly after being booked at the Columbus County Detention Center. Nobles retired from the sheriff's office in 2015.

The arrest is a result of a State Bureau of Investigation probe into evidence that was missing from the Columbus County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Lewis Hatcher asked for the SBI to help investigate after the sheriff's office was unable to account for cash that was missing from the evidence locker. According to the indictment, the embezzlement took place between around Oct. 11, 2013, and Sept. 1, 2015.

"When discrepancies were discovered in 2015, I requested an independent investigation from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation," Hatcher said in a statement. "This charge is a result of that investigation. As Sheriff, I have the utmost respect for all employees at the Columbus County Sheriff's Office, however I will not allow any person or person's to interfere with the integrity of this office."

According to prosecutor Tammy Smith with the Conference of District Attorneys, Nobles is accused of taking $3,500 from the evidence safe at the sheriff's office. District Attorney Jon David said that due to Nobles' prior working relationship with the District Attorney's office, he has referred the case to an outside prosecutor. Nobles was hired by the sheriff's office on May 14, 2001 and resigned on Sept. 17, 2015 as a captain. His annual salary was $42,651.94 at the time of his resignation.