Fallsburg, NY - Police Sergeant Got Stung in an Integrity Investigation

Fallsburg, NY - A Fallsburg police sergeant has been charged with pocketing money that should have been entered into evidence.

Sgt. Melissa Freestone, 30, was charged with official misconduct and petty larceny, misdemeanors. The charges follow a sting operation by the Sullivan County District Attorney's Office and Fallsburg Police Chief Brent Lawrence.
District Attorney Steven Lungen said the probe began about eight months ago when money seized in a Fallsburg police case "disappeared" before it got to the police station.
"We put together a scenario that involved the finding of a pocketbook," Lungen said. The purse, which held identification, $534 in marked bills and some loose change, was turned in to Freestone, he said. When Freestone put the purse contents into evidence, Lungen said, she inventoried just $8.94 in cash. Police recovered the remaining $526 from Freestone.

Freestone has been suspended without pay from her $41,550 per year job, he has been an officer for nine years.