WATE
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Correction has fired a Sevier County probation/parole officer who was arrested last Wednesday for theft.
An investigation revealed that Joshua Keith DeBord, of South Knoxville, misused funds paid by offenders under his supervision in the Knoxville area.
The offenders thought they were paying court ordered fines and fees, but Debord kept the money for his personal use.
Commissioner Derrick Schofield fired DeBord effective Jan. 28. DeBord was assigned to the Sevierville office and faces prosecution for theft over $500.
The corrections department will soon launch an automated fee payment system that will assist in preventing this type of abuse.
Full story: Corrections officer fired for pocketing money from parolees