A former South Carolina police officer was sentenced Thursday for stealing more than $20,000 from her department's evidence locker, according to a news release.

Stephanie Grant Bridge, 49, stole the cash, which was being held as evidence at the Walterboro Police Department, according to 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone. Bridge pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and grand larceny,

However, Bridge will not serve any prison time, as she received a three-year suspended sentence and three years of probation. She also was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

Bridge already has paid $22,075 in restitution, according to the news release.

"As a member of law enforcement and a public servant, the defendant used her position for her own personal gain," Stone said in the news release. "She violated the community's trust and damaged the integrity of the entire criminal justice system."

About the Author

Keep Reading

Cox Enterprises CEO Alex Taylor and AJC Publisher Andrew Morse were joined by AJC editors and Atlanta business react during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in Midtown on Friday, January 24, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo