A former Walterboro police officer charged with pocketing cash from the department’s evidence locker has been convicted.
Stephanie Grant Bridge, 49, of Ruffin, pleaded guilty Thursday to misconduct in office and grand larceny at the Colleton County Courthouse. She received a three-year suspended sentence and three years of probation. She also was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. She had already paid $22,075 in restitution.
“As a member of law enforcement and a public servant, the defendant used her position for her own personal gain,” said 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone. “She violated the community’s trust and damaged the integrity of the entire criminal justice system.”
An audit of the police department’s evidence room in 2014 revealed missing cash, guns and other items.
Circuit Court Judge Thomas Cooper handed down Thursday’s sentence.
Stone is the chief prosecutor of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which includes Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Stone oversees the prosecution of roughly 5,000 General Sessions cases each year.
