BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor
An investigation into missing canteen money and computers has led to the arrest of the former Liberty County Jail administrator.
Jenny Young, 50, of Blountstown, has been charged with grand theft.
According to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation began two weeks after Young’s New Year’s Day resignation. Capt. Tim Partridge advised Lt. Mark Mallory of an issue with the inmate trust fund account used for purchases in the jail canteen program. Young was in charge of that account. The canteen program was contracted to a company known as SACS (Smith’s Automated Commissary Services) with orders placed by Young on a computer utilizing the SACS software.
Investigators discovered SACS was owed $ 2042, but only $ 1012 was available in the trust fund. SACS officials reported no payments had been received since May of 2012.
In addition to the missing funds, one laptop and two desktop computers were missing from Young’s office.
Young was interviewed and admitted to having one computer at her residence, but said her former supervisor, Major Dussia Shuler, had allowed her to take it home about 8 or 9 months prior and she forgot it belonged to the LCSO. However, Shuler told investigators he allowed Young to take home a non-compatible computer that was being tossed once, but it was approximately three years ago and the computer was considered junk.
Young said she discarded the computer she kept canteen records on because it didn’t work properly. She told investigators she threw it in a dumpster sometime after November 19, 2012, the last time she placed a canteen order with SACS.
An inmate told authorities Young asked her to transport a computer to her personal vehicle on her last day with the LCSO. The inmate said Young instructed her to shut the door to her office, then cover the computer and monitor with laundry, and make sure no one saw her taking it to Young’s car.
Young said the computer the inmate loaded into her vehicle was her own personal computer and stated she only took the precautions to cover it with laundry so no one would think she was taking any LCSO property.
As for the missing money, Young said she once lost a deposit she estimated between $ 1200 to $ 1500. She told investigators the cash was in a money bag on her desk when she last saw it three or four months ago. She failed to report it missing to her supervisor or file any report that it had been stolen. Young further stated she planned to save her own money and replace the lost deposit, hoping to repay it before it was discovered missing. Young insisted she never took any money.
When asked about deposits and receipts, Young said she provided receipts to inmates or their families when money was deposited into the canteen account, but would trash copies of the receipts once she input the amounts into the computer. However, the computer with those records was the one she reportedly threw in a dumpster. Young said she sometimes went three or four months before making any bank deposits and kept the money in her office safe.
A warrant was issued for Young’s arrest and she was booked into the Liberty County Jail. She was released on bond.
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