A former marshal assigned to the Roswell Municipal Court will serve 20 years on intensive probation for stealing more than $160,000 from the court.
Gregorio Eduardo “Eddie” Barrera, 42, entered a guilty plea Tuesday to one count of theft by taking by government employee and violation of oath by a public officer in connection with the theft, according to a news release from the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
As a marshal, Barrera was responsible for transporting the money collected from traffic fines from the City of Roswell Jail to the City of Roswell Courthouse. Between January 2007 and February 2009, Barrera kept $160, 398.54 for himself, according to the release.
The investigation into Barrera began in 2009 while he was on administrative leave for a separate issue, authorities said. A person who had been arrested for non-payment of a traffic citation produced a receipt that proved a payment was made. The investigation found that when people went to pay their fines, Barrera manipulated the computer system to make it appear as if some fines were never paid and pocketed the money, according to the release. He deposited nearly $112, 000 in cash into his bank account and made several expensive purchases during the two-year period.
The prosecution wanted to see Barrera serve five years in prison, followed by five years on probation, and be ordered to pay all of the money back. Citing “extreme heath issues,” Fulton County Magistrate Judge Karen Woodson sentenced Barrera to the intensive probation, according to the release. For the first three years, Barrera will be on house arrest with an ankle bracelet and subject to a 24-hour curfew. He also will have to pay $25,000 in restitution, which is equal to Roswell’s insurance policy deductible.
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