Ex-Police Chief Faces Embezzlement Charges

KENLY, N.C. — A former police chief in the small Johnston County town of Kenly was arrested Wednesday morning on embezzlement charges, authorities said.

State Bureau of Investigation agents charged David Mangum with four counts of embezzlement of property received by virtue of office or employment. Mangum was released on a $20,000 unsecured bond.

The arrest followed an SBI investigation that began last October at the request of former Johnston County District Attorney Tom Lock.

Mangum, who had served as Kenly's police chief for five years, was suspected of using his town credit card for personal spending.

David Mangum, who had served as police chief for five years, was fired Sept. 30 after Kenly Town Council members learned of charges for a Carnival cruise, stays in two different Outer Banks hotels and clothing purchases on his town-issued credit card.

Kenly Town Manager Scott Shelton said he began an internal investigation into the credit charges in August before turning it over to authorities.