A former South Carolina police officer faces multiple charges, including bank fraud, prostitution, and obstruction of justice, following allegations that he paid for sexual services and attempted to defraud his credit union.
Fredrick Trent Payne, a 43-year-old former officer with the Pacolet Police Department, is accused of the offenses, according to reports. Arrest documents state that Payne used a debit card to pay $203 for sexual acts at Royal Springs Massage located in Boiling Springs.
Six days following the transaction, Payne contacted Founders Federal Credit Union in Spartanburg County to submit a false $276 fraud claim regarding the charge. He subsequently spent the credited amount in person, which resulted in an account overdraft.
Investigators also stated that Payne provided false statements during an interview conducted in May as part of the ongoing probe.
Prior to his employment with the Pacolet department, Payne worked briefly as a deputy with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities placed him on an unpaid suspension when the investigation began, and he resigned from his position days before his arrest.
The prosecution is being handled by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office after the sheriff’s office requested assistance from the State Law Enforcement Division. Following the charges, Payne was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center.
