The Denver District Attorney's Office on Wednesday said a Denver Sheriff Department deputy submitted forged military orders suggesting he was attending U.S. Army training and needed paid time off.
Deputy Matthew Jeremiah Pemberton, 25, is facing several charges including forgery of government documents, though no such military orders were issued, according to a release from the Denver DA's office.
A staff member noticed irregularities with the military orders, including language typed in the Wingdings font. A personnel complaint triggered an internal investigation that led to the arrest, according to the release. Denver Police were notified of the complaint from the sheriff department in February.
Pemberton allegedly forged orders calling for military leave between December 2017 and December 2018. By taking leave, the DA's office believes Pemberton cost the city $20,365 in pay and in overtime pay for other deputies. The arrest affidavit said Pemberton fraudulently obtained 452.59 hours of "military leave."
Pemberton was arrested on Tuesday. He is currently out on a personal recognizance bond and is on leave from the sheriff department. He is charged with theft, computer crime, cybercrime, forgery of government documents, criminal impersonation to gain benefit and attempting to influence a public servant.
According to the arrest affidavit, Pemberton was hired by the sheriff department in July 2017. He was assigned as floor deputy at the Denver Detention Center
