Chester County Principal Charged With Identity Theft
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HENDERSON, Tenn.–A principal in Chester County is off the job accused of using someone else‘s bank card without permission. Authorities charged Cristy Swope, 45, of Henderson, with three counts of identity theft. Officers arrested the principal of Chester County Middle School. Police confirm Swope turned herself in Wednesday. “Being an authority figure you’re kind of held to a higher standard,” Rober Dicus said, a parent in Chester County. In January, police say Swope used someone else‘s bank card to make approximately $138 worth of unauthorized purchases in Jackson. “I would think that our, we would show better leadership to our young folks, you know in schools, but unfortunately I’m ashamed to say that’s not how it is these days,” Dicus said. Police say Swope swiped the lost card at Stein Mart, Madison County Liquor and Wine, and Kanpai Restaurant. A grand jury indicted the principal on three counts of identity theft. “It’s against the law and we enforce all laws,” Capt. Tyreece Miller said, with the Jackson Police Department. “We don’t pick and choose which ones we do.” When WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News called the school, a secretary said Swope did not want to make a statement at this time. “She needs to go to jail really,” Dicus said. “That needs to be the example that we set is that she go to jail. We need to show our young folks that you know people in leadership positions have to follow rules just like everyone else.” Chester County Schools confirm, as of Thursday, Swope is suspended indefinitely without pay. Miller said Swope does not have a criminal history in Jackson. She was booked and released from the Madison County Criminal Justice Complex Wednesday afternoon on a $1,000 bond. Swope is due in court Monday, April 7.
