A former deputy accused of receiving military pay but not reporting to duty has been indicted in Cherokee County.

Bryson Dain Heath was indicted this week on charges of theft by deception and violation of oath by a public officer, according to the district attorney.

Heath “submitted a military drill schedule to receive military pay benefits and then did not attend said drills or report to work while receiving the military pay,” his indictment states.

The county paid Heath $2,486 in military benefits in March that he wasn’t entitled to because he was also receiving a paycheck from the sheriff’s office, according to investigators.

The sheriff’s office suspended Heath without pay during an investigation. He later resigned in lieu of termination and was charged, a spokesman for the department said.

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