Moncks Corner man accused of embezzling
Staff report
A former South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services agent was indicted Wednesday in Berkeley County on charges he took thousands of dollars from probationers and kept the cash.
John Cabaniss, 34, of Willow Lakes Drive in Moncks Corner was indicted on charges of embezzlement of public funds over $5,000 and breach of trust with fraudulent intent over $5,000, Deputy Solicitor Blair Jennings said.
Cabaniss, a probation and parole agent for five years in Berkeley County, is accused of altering records and fines to take $13,044.06 in cash and money orders from people on probation, State Law Enforcement Division officials said. Fees paid by probationers are supposed to go to an administrative clerk.
Authorities found $3,648 in money orders in Cabaniss' personal checking account, according to affidavits.
Cabaniss was fired in November when SLED began investigating.
He was arrested on three charges in April.
One of the original charges, misconduct in office, wasn't presented to the grand jury because it didn't apply to Cabaniss, Jennings said. Cabaniss was a state officer, and misconduct in office applies only to an individual whose authority is limited to one county, Jennings said.
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