PEMBROKE - A Pembroke police
detective charged with two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery has been
suspended without pay, the town's lawyer said.
Detective Reese Oxendine, 45,
was notified of the decision late Tuesday, a day after the State Bureau of
Investigation filed the criminal charges, Gary Locklear said Wednesday.
The charges stem from
allegations of sexual harassment made in March by a female Pembroke town
employee. Police conducted an internal investigation and Oxendine was suspended
for three days, Locklear said.
No criminal charges were filed.
"The town took the
appropriate action," Locklear said.
However, Robeson County
District Attorney Johnson Britt asked the State Bureau of Investigation to
investigate, Locklear said.
The charges, which were filed
Monday, were a result of the SBI investigation.
Oxendine will remain on
suspension until the case is resolved, Locklear said.
- Nancy McCleary