Former Martin police officer pleads not guilty in charity fund theft

WEAKLEY COUNTY, Tenn. — A former Martin police officer pleaded not guilty Monday to stealing thousands of dollars from a charitable account established for a girl with cancer.

Guy Pryor, 34, of Martin pleaded not guilty in the alleged theft. He is charged with theft over $10,000.

Investigators say around $18,000 was stolen from an account for the “Day for Anna Kate” fundraising campaign, which was organized to help the family of 2-year-old Anna Kate Wenz. She passed away March 2 after nearly a yearlong battle with cancer.

The bank account was established by Pryor who until recently worked for the Martin Police Department, according to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation release.

Financial records showed that someone withdrew funds from the account on several occasions in 2015. TBI investigators and the Martin Police Department determined Pryor was responsible for the thefts from the account, according to the release.

Pryor’s bond is set at $25,000.

Pryor is scheduled to be back in court at 8:30 a.m. on April 20.