NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) — A former school resource officer with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Department has been indicted following a state investigation.

Leahla Hance faces charges of official misconduct, forgery over $2,500, theft of property over $2,500, and destruction, tampering, or fabrication of a government record.

She served as the full-time SRO at Centerview Elementary School during the fall 2024 semester. The sheriff’s office began an internal investigation after an SRO supervisor visited the school in December 2024 and learned Hance was absent. The matter was later referred to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, per state law.

She is accused of falsifying timesheets to receive nearly $3,000 in wages for days she did not work. According to a comptroller’s office release, investigators found she did not report to the school on at least 24 days but submitted timesheets indicating full workdays for 16 of those days.

Hance was placed on leave amid the internal investigation but later resigned from the department in February. She reportedly admitted to not reporting to school and acknowledged she was paid for time she didn’t work, according to the comptroller’s office.

Cocke County Sheriff CJ Ball said in a statement that a full-time supervisor has been assigned to monitor day-to-day operations more closely following the investigation. He added that assigned patrol vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking, and each officer is required to contact dispatch at the beginning and end of each shift on the radio to record their presence.

“Supervisors must ensure they verify employee timesheets before approving them for payment,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “Monitoring SRO activity and using the department’s vehicle GPS technology can strengthen oversight and prevent misconduct.”