On March 26, 2012 Deputy K. D. Hypes of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the larceny of property owned by the Kanawha County Board of Education. Gary Lee Cochran, had been employed as a Child Nutrition Director for the school system. Mr. Cochran resigned on February 22, 2012. When his desk was cleared pawn tickets were located for two computers that had been assigned to Mr. Cochran. The Board of Education sent letters to Mr. Cochran asking him to return the issued property months before, and prior to locating the pawn tickets.
Deputy S. W. Hunter assumed the investigation and determined the value of the items pawned was $1,535.00. A warrant for grand larceny was obtained.
Deputies sought to serve the warrants several times, but Mr. Cochran was not located at his known addresses. On August 26, 2013 the warrant was served. Using a tip was provided through WCHS TV’s Fugitive Files program and other sources of information Kanawha County Deputies and members of the U.S. Marshal’s CUFFED Task Force went to an address on Mason Street in Milton, Cabell County, WV. Mr. Cochran was arrested, arraigned at Cabell County Magistrate Court, and transported to Kanawha County for booking and housing at the South Central Regional Jail. A bond of $10,000.00 property or 10% cash was set.
Due to technical problems I am unable to attach a mug shot of the accused at this time. As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against Mr. Cochran are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Corporal B. D. Humphreys
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
301 Virginia Street East,
Charleston WV 25301
304-357-0732 / 304-951-7328