Barbour County probation officer allegedly took $1k in cash payments from probationers

PHILIPPI, W.Va. (WBOY) — A former probation officer in Barbour County was charged with taking more than $1,000 in cash payments from probationers earlier this year.

According to a criminal complaint filed in September and obtained by 12 News on Thursday, Justin Carter, 43 of Philippi, is accused of taking cash payments from two people whose probations he was supervising.

According to the complaint, while he was employed as a probation officer with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in Barbour County between January 2024 to April 2024, Carter took an estimated $1,110 in cash payments that "were not delivered to the Barbour County Circuit Court," the complaint said. As a probation officer, Carter was not permitted to accept payments that were supposed to be made to the court clerk.

One alleged victim said she made cash payments to Carter "on multiple occasions" to cover fines, and a second victim told law enforcement that he had given Carter cash "to get caught up on any fees or cost he owed probation," the complaint said.

During an interview with officers in August, Carter confessed to taking money from both victims but only a total of $260. His employment with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ended on April 30, the complaint said.

Carter was charged with felony grand larceny and embezzlement.