UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County deputy has been arrested and charged with providing a cell phone to an inmate who is in custody at the Union County Detention Center.
According to a press release from the Union County Sheriff's Office, staff members were informed about Anthony Humphrey's alleged actions Thursday morning as part of an ongoing investigation.
A preliminary investigation showed that an inmate made several unauthorized phone calls using Humphrey's county-issued cell phone.
Since Humphrey's alleged actions are criminal by law, USCO asked the North Carolina State Board of Investigation to conduct an independent criminal investigation into the allegations.
After an independent investigation, NCSBI agents charged Humphrey with four counts of felony furnishing a mobile phone to an inmate. Humphrey was arrested Thursday afternoon and is being held at the Union County Detention Center.
Humphrey, who was employed with the UCSO since 2004, was fired after his arrest.
Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey released the following statement about the incident:
“As law enforcement officers, we swear an oath to protect and serve our community and must always maintain impeccable integrity. I asked the NCSBI to lead this investigation to ensure that our residents know that I am committed to transparency and accountability, especially when it involves one of my own employees. While this is a sad day for my office, I remain extremely proud of all the hardworking men and women of the UCSO who serve our community admirably each day.”