PRATTVILLE — A former Autauga Metro Jail officer and another
woman each face four counts of theft of property by deception for an alleged
check-cashing scheme.
Tara Lynette Woodfin, 41, of 653 Osborne Road in Tallassee
was arrested Wednesday, said Chief Deputy Joe Sedinger. She resigned from her
jail post following her arrest and was released Wednesday afternoon after
posting bonds totaling $20,000, said Capt. Larry Nixon, jail warden.
Also charged is Billie Lynn Phillips, 42, of the same
address, Sedinger said. Phillips remained in the metro jail Thursday afternoon
on bonds totaling $20,000, Nixon said. Phillips also faces a probation
violation due to the arrest, courthouse records show. She was on probation out
of Autauga County District Court on a conviction of writing bad checks, the
records reflect.
Woodfin could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.
Court and arrest records do not list a viable telephone number for her home.
Court records show she does not have an attorney.
Phillips could not be reached for comment Thursday
afternoon. Court records show she does not have an attorney on the most recent
charges.
The two women allegedly made copies of Woodfin’s payroll
check and deposited the scanned copy online, Sedinger said. The actual payroll
check was then cashed at a business, he said. The four checks totaled
$2,674.20, sheriff’s office reports show
The scheme came to light when the county commission office
reviewed payroll records and spotted the double dipping, Nixon said. The
practice allegedly began in late May and was done for the past four pay
periods, he said.
Woodfin turned herself into authorities Wednesday. She was
treated the same as anyone being booked into the facility, Nixon said.
“She was never put in a cell,” he said. “She knew what her
bond amount was and came in with a good bond. She was processed, photographed
and fingerprinted and then was released on bond.
“It’s not unusual for people turning themselves in to come
in with a bond. We make sure the bond is in order, approve the bond, then
process and release them.”