**Lynchburg, Va.** – On August 23, the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Lynchburg announced the conviction of Tiffany Bratton, a former Lieutenant with the South Boston Police Department, for embezzlement of public funds. In February 2024, Bratton was found guilty in Halifax County Circuit Court on one felony count and one misdemeanor count of embezzlement.



Bratton was sentenced on August 20 to five years, with all time suspended, and will serve two years of supervised probation, in addition to maintaining five years of good behavior. The case stems from an investigation that revealed missing cash from the department's evidence room in August 2021.



**Investigation Findings**



During the investigation, surveillance footage showed Bratton accessing the evidence room on four occasions in July 2021, removing money from the safe while concealing her actions. An internal audit initiated under new Police Chief Bryan Young led to the discovery of approximately $3,000 missing from the evidence room.



The prosecution presented evidence indicating Bratton had both the motive and opportunity, highlighting bank records that showed significant deposits into her personal account during a time she faced financial challenges.



**Court Proceedings**



The case was certified to a grand jury following a three-hour hearing in Halifax County General District Court, presided over by Judge Jody Fariss. The defense attorney, Doug Ramseur, questioned the integrity of the evidence handling practices at the South Boston Police Department, suggesting that the lack of proper auditing increased the possibility that someone else could have accessed the funds.



However, the prosecution maintained that Bratton’s actions were intentional, presenting video evidence that indicated she entered the secure room without proper logging, an essential requirement for evidence handling.



**Next Steps**



The grand jury is scheduled to meet on April 7 to further evaluate the case against Bratton. As the investigation continues, questions about the department's evidence management practices remain, raising concerns about accountability and oversight within law enforcement.



Stay tuned to Star News for further updates on this developing story.