A probation officer within the Mississippi Department of Corrections has been arrested and charged with two counts of embezzlement in Forrest County.
According to the State Auditor’s Office, Dendrick Hurd is accused of abusing his position as an MDOC probation/parole agent by embezzling money from people attempting to pay court-sentenced fees and fines. It’s alleged that Hurd purportedly directed probationers under his supervision to purchase money orders and to leave them blank. He then allegedly recorded his information on the money orders and negotiated them to benefit himself. Hurd was reported to OSA when the probationers’ MDOC accounts did not reflect these money order payments.
“Taking advantage of probationers will not be allowed,” State Auditor Shad White said. “We will continue to root out fraud wherever we find it.”
Special Agents arrested Hurd and transported him to the Forrest County Jail. His bail amount will be set by the court.
If convicted, Hurd faces up to 20 years in prison or $5,000 in fines for each charge of embezzlement.
If you or someone you know may be a victim of a scheme like this, you can file a complaint online any time by clicking the red “Report Fraud” button at www.osa.ms.gov or via telephone during normal business hours at 1-(800)-321-1275.
