By Leanne Cloudman

Staff reporter

lcloudman@yadkinripple.com

Lying about a cancer diagnosis, stealing from his employer, and admitted drug abuse resulted in a former law enforcement officer being sentenced to jail for a minimum of 34 months by Judge Edwin G. Wilson Jr. in Yadkin County Superior Court session on Monday.

Darrell Brian Thornton pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement reached with the Yadkin County District Attorney’s office. Charges included 10 counts of embezzlement, two counts of attempting to traffic in opium and oxycontin, one count of obtaining property by false pretenses and common law forgery. These were merged into four charges for sentencing and the eight counts of felony larceny by employee were dropped.

The total amount stolen and embezzled — including monies from a fundraiser to help pay Thornton’s non-existent medical bills for faked cancer — was $6,044.

Thorton’s attorney, Chris Beechler said he really felt the acts were not initially intended.

“He apologized for what he’s done to his former co-workers, to the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office, to friends and family.” said Beechler.

Though addiction to oxycontin may have been a contributing factor to the illegal acts admitted to by Thornton, he has sought no treatment and none was ordered by the court.