HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla – Detectives have arrested a new cadet of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and charged him with crimes that occurred before starting the academy.
Darius Barnwell, 25, was only on his second day as a cadet in the Sheriff’s Training Academy when detectives were notified of some possible criminal activity prior to his starting.
Between October 6, 2022, and February 6, 2023, Barnwell was employed by Loomis, a cash-handling company.
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His position required him to deliver money to ATM vendors. Through investigative means, detectives were able to determine that nine different times, Barnwell removed an undisclosed sum of money from his delivery, and forced the ATM to balance, keeping it from raising a red flag in the company’s system.
“It is extremely disappointing that someone who wanted to serve and protect the community would commit this crime,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “No one is above the law. It doesn’t matter if you have been part of HCSO two days, or twenty years. If you work at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, you will be held to a higher standard. I applaud our detectives for uncovering this and taking quick action.”
On February 7, 2023, deputies arrested Darius Barnwell, and charged him with Grand Theft Third Degree ($10,000-$20,000).
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