Four people face nearly 200 charges in Franklin County embezzlement case

FRANKLIN COUNTY (WSLS 10) - The Franklin County Sheriff's Office issued 194 indictments on Monday, which it says are the result of a three-month embezzlement investigation.

The amount embezzled from 2013-2016 was more than $380,000, according to the sheriff's office.

The following individuals were charged with felony embezzlement:

  • Julius L. Perdue, 42, of Moneta, - 62 counts
  • Terrance M. Muse, 26, of Rocky Mount, - 52 counts
  • Roger Wayne Crider, 50, of Spencer - 46 counts
  • Garland Lamont Ramey, age 51 of Rocky Mount, VA - 34 counts

Franklin County investigators began looking into the case on September 26, 2016, after the owner of United American Steel contacted the sheriff's office in reference to discrepancies on deliveries to ScrapCo Inc. in Rocky Mount.

The investigation revealed that employees of United American Steel had driven company trucks to ScrapCo and received checks in their personal names for the scrap metal that belonged to United American Steel and that the fraudulent activity had been occurring as far back as 2013.

Numerous search warrants and court orders were obtained and executed on the financial institutions of the suspects.

Evidence discovered through financial records led to the questioning of four possible suspects. Three of the four suspects confessed to their involvement in the embezzlement.