Sheriff defends Vance County deputies who got pay raises while suspended, facing criminal charges

Vance County leaders told WRAL News that three sheriff’s deputies received raises from the county while out on leave facing criminal charges.

Despite some pushback from the community, the Vance County Sheriff is standing by the raises.

Vance deputies Steve Staton, Purav Patel, and Mitch Pittman are facing criticism for getting pay increases in the past year.

On Tuesday, Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen confirmed to WRAL News that during their absence, Pittman, Patel, and Staton each got a 4% cost of living raise given to all county employees last July.

He also said Pittman and Staton received an additional $500 raise as part of a hiring incentive in the department.

“That’s a smack in the face to the citizens of Vance County,” Pastor John Miles said. “They continue getting paid by the taxpayer money of citizens of Vance County, and that’s been disturbing.”

Miles felt that until the three deputies were cleared of wrongdoing, they should have been suspended without pay.

“It’s a bad message, it’s bad leadership, of Curtis Brame as the sheriff of Vance County to continue paying these guys,” Miles said.

The sheriff disagreed.

“I support the officers,” Brame said. “My position is a person is innocent until proven guilty.”

Sheriff Brame told WRAL News he wasn’t sure when the three men would go to trial, but Brame said the deputies were eager to have their day in court.

He also said that an internal investigation from his office supported their case.

“I have evidence to contradict what the District Attorney’s done,” Brame said. “And you know, there’s a gag order and I cannot talk about that.”