A Florence police officer who was terminated Monday was issued a summons Thursday to appear in Florence Municipal Court on a charge of theft of lost property, officials said.
Jeff Redcross, 38, is being represented by Florence attorney Tim Case. Case said the summons is not a warrant and Redcross was not arrested.
"It just summons him to appear in court on the allegations," Case said.
Florence Police Chief Rick Singleton said Redcross' termination had nothing to do with the summons. He said Redcross has filed an appeal with the city's civil service board and is on paid administrative leave while the appeals process continues.
The chief said his recommendation to terminate Redcross' employment was a result of an administrative hearing and was based on a violation of departmental rules not a violation of the law.
"My decision had nothing to do with the summons or what's going on with the court," Singleton said. "We have rules and they are to be followed."
According to the summons, which was issued by the municipal magistrate's office, Redcross is to appear at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, in Florence City Court.
The charge of third-degree theft of lost property is a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by a year in jail and a fine, if convicted.
A person with direct knowledge of the case said Tony Armstead is accusing Redcross of taking money that Armstead claims to have lost on the dance floor of a local nightclub.
According to an incident report filed at the Florence Police Department, the 38-year-old Florence man claimed $300 in $100 bills were taken from him at Side Pockets Billiards on Darby Drive between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Dec. 3-4. The report was filed Dec. 8.
Authorities said Redcross was off duty and was a customer at the business when the theft is supposed to have taken place.
"I've known Jeff Redcross for 17 years. He's enjoyed a good reputation as a UNA football standout, as a radio announcer and as a person in the community," said Case.
Case said this is the first time in his 17 years as a defense attorney that he has ever "defended or been confronted" with a charge like this.
"We look forward to defending this in court and based upon our initial investigations and interviewing the witnesses we have done so far, we feel like we should prevail and Jeff will and should be exonerated of these charges," Case said.
Case said he is also representing Redcross in the termination appeal process.
"We are anxious to present his case before the civil service board," Case said.
Redcross has been a member of the department for 17 years and has been a patrol sergeant for the past three years.
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