Sergeant with Clay County Sheriff's Office charged with grand theft and fired

A sergeant with the Clay County Sheriff's Office has been fired and arrested on charges he was paid for off-duty work without showing up for the shifts.

An investigation of Christopher Lynn Robbins, 38, a 15-year officer with the agency, began Sept. 20 after the employer expressed suspicion that Robbins was not working the detail, said spokeswoman Mary Justino of the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

He was charged with grand theft.

Robbins was hired to provide security for Oakleaf Amenities, the common area at the Oakleaf development that includes sports fields, a clubhouse and other features.

The investigation showed Robbins was paid $2,346 since December 2009 for 17 days when there were no signs of him working. 

An arrest affidavit said sworn statements, records of communications devices and off-duty job records of other employers were gathered to show Robbins was not on the Oakleaf job or was working other jobs at the same time.

Robbins was fired Thursday. He was released from jail without bail.

The case will be investigated by the department's internal affairs office and the results turned over to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Division, which will determine if Robbins keeps his law enforcement certification.

"This is a very sad event, charging one of our own", Sheriff Rick Beseler said in an e-mailed comment. "It is necessary, however, to maintain the high standards the public expects and that we expect of ourselves. The public has to know they can trust us and that we will perform our duties with integrity."