A local probation officer faces up to 140 years in prison and $35,000 in fines after being arrested on several charges of embezzlement.
According to a release from Mississippi State Auditor Shad White, on July 2 agents from his office arrested 46-year-old Lacosta Joyce Lee of Purvis, who was charged with seven counts of embezzlement.
She was booked into the Forrest County Correctional Facility.
Lee is a contracted probation officer for Court Programs Inc., which is located on Broadway Drive in Hattiesburg.
Lee is accused of receiving court ordered fines and fees from those on probation and embezzling those funds for her own personal use. Lee was served with a $7,558.50 demand letter at the time of her arrest.
If convicted, Lee could be sentenced a maximum of $5,000 in fines and 20 years in prison on each of the charges.
“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s office continues to work closely with prosecutors to get record results, one case at a time,” White said.
