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Corrections officer arrested and fired for using fuel card

Posted at 1:11 PM, Aug 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-19 14:11:33-04

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's deputies had to arrest one of their own after unauthorized gas charges showed up on a department card.

Christopher Wayne Spencer, 23, of Opelousas, was booked with Theft, Unauthorized Use of an Access Card (13 Counts) and Attempted Unauthorized Use of an Access Card.

An investigation began on August 14 after a the checks and balances conducted by the administration revealed some transactions that did not coincide with department units and mileage. The card was then flagged and the investigation was opened, Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said.

Investigators determined that, during July and August, 13 transactions were made at a local fuel station that weren't authorized.

On August 13, Spencer, a corrections officer, allegedly was trying to fuel up his personal vehicle and the card was declined. Deputies were notified that the card was being used, and they went to the gas station to find out who was trying to use it.

On August 18, 2020, Spencer allegedly admitted to detectives that he acquired the fuel card while he was on duty at the St. Landry Parish Jail and placed it in his pocket. At the end of his shift, he stored the fuel card in his personal vehicle.

Spencer has been terminated.

“This was very troubling to me that one of my own would steal from the taxpayers and my office. I am the steward of your taxes and if it takes me arresting one of my own for theft, I will," Guidroz said.