A former staff member of the Escambia County District Attorney’s office was arrested this week on a six-count indictment handed down by the Escambia County Grand Jury during a recent session of the group.
Monica Lynn Watson faces a variety of charges from theft of property and using her position for personal gain.
Following evidence presented during a hearing of the Grand Jury, Watson was charged with one count of first-degree theft of property; one count of first-degree theft of property by deception; one count of use of official position for personal gain and three counts of second-degree forgery.
The theft of property charge was handed down when evidence accusing Watson of knowingly obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over checks or negotiable instruments and/or lawful currency having a value in excess of $2,500 with the intent to deprive the owner of said property was presented. The theft by deception charge stemmed from the same accusations accusing the suspect of obtaining the property by deception.
On charges of using her official position for personal gain, the Grand Jury heard evidence that Watson was a public official in the Worthless Check Unit as coordinator for the Escambia County District Attorney’s office and used or caused to be used her official position to obtain personal gain of checks or negotiable instruments, and/or lawful currency for herself, a family member of the public official or public employee, or a business with which the public official or employee is associated.
Watson is also accused of forgery in connection with three motion to dismiss documents on which she is accused of falsely making, completing or altering documents represented as public record.
Watson was taken into custody voluntarily Wednesday and was booked on the charges against her at the Escambia County Detention Center. She was released on a $100,000 bond following the arrest.