A deputy of the Kent County Sheriff's Office, Saul Sepulveda, has been charged with a felony after allegedly stealing from the correctional facility's lost and found. According to WOOD-TV, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker has charged Deputy Saul Sepulveda with larceny in a building. This charge carries a potential punishment of four years in prison.
According to Becker, the charge arises from an incident at the Kent County Correctional Facility, which did not involve inmates. Instead, it involved an unclaimed wallet that held money and gift cards. The deputy accused of taking these personal items, the Kent County Sheriff's Office, initiated an investigation once the money went missing from the wallet. Further details of the accusation were reported by WZZM 13, stating Sepulveda resigned before the investigation was completed.
In a statement cited by FOX 17, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office said, "It is known that this behavior will not be tolerated at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. The KCSO members remain dedicated to serving and protecting the residents of Kent County with integrity." The statement emphasized the commitment of the Sheriff's Office to uphold ethical conduct despite the actions of an individual officer.
The former deputy is scheduled for arraignment in 61st District Court next Monday, where he will face the consequences of his alleged actions. If convicted, Sepulveda could spend up to four years in prison, a stark contrast to the duties he once performed as an enforcer of the law.
