Deputy Fire Marshal charged with embezzlement from fire department he served

David Heath Porter

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     A fire department officer and Columbus County Deputy Fire Marshal has been charged with embezzling funds from the Brunswick Fire Department.

     David Heath Porter, 31, of Lebanon Church Road, Whiteville was arrested early Monday afternoon, charged with 32 counts of embezzlement and 32 counts of obtaining property by false pretense, Sheriff Jody Greene said in a news release Tuesday.

     Porter served as Assistant Chief/Treasurer for the volunteer fire department, Greene said.

     Deputies took an initial report involving missing funds from the Brunswick Fire Department Board of Directors on Aug. 8, Greene said. Detectives looked into the allegations “and obtained additional information leading to numerous criminal charges against Porter,” Greene said.

     Porter was booked at the Columbus County Detention Center, his bond set at $235,000, Greene said. Porter was released after posting bond.

     Look for more on this story in this week’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.