Former Chief Knew Officer Michael Mabe was Accused of Touching Child

The Walnut Cove Police Department allegedly knew of allegations against an officer that he was accused of inappropriately touching a child, according to officials with the Stokes County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say Michael Mabe, a former Walnut Cove police officer, was arrested in mid-December and charged with 15 counts of indecent liberties with a child. According to officials, the alleged incidents took place more than 20 years ago.

Mabe worked as a part-time deputy for the Stokes County Sheriff's office until the mid-1990's. Officials say he left the Stokes County department when allegations of his alleged contact with a child surfaced in the mid-1990's. Mabe left the department and began working in Walnut Cove.

According to Stokes County Sheriff's officials, former Walnut Cove Police Chief Barry Conaway was aware of the allegations against Mabe while he was employed with the department. Capt. Craig Carico with the Stokes County Sheriff's Office said their records indicate Stokes County Deputies were sent to Walnut Cove to inform and discuss the allegations against Mabe.

"The Walnut Cove Police Department was notified at the time the allegations were made available to us," said capt. Carico.

Former Walnut Cove Police Chief Barry Conaway served as chief in the mid-1990's but is no longer with the department.

"I've had a lot of people concerned with the fact that it was known about and nothing done about it. I had a lot of people ask, why... and I can't tell them why...because I wasn't here," said James Hill, the current Police Chief for the Walnut Cove Police Department. "I feel like that should have happened... I feel like it should have been taken care of."

Hill, the current Walnut Cove Police Chief, said Mabe was a good officer. "He was a good person. I never had any problems with him whatsoever," said Hill.

Stokes County officials said Michael Mabe's wife works in the Child Support division in the Department of Social Services where the allegations were initially filed.

Mabe resigned from his position in the police department the day he was arrest, Walnut Cove Town Manager Homer Dearmin said.

Mabe is currently out on bond. His court date is set for January 20.