One of three former officials with the City of Tryon facing embezzlement and conspiracy charges as the result of a special investigative audit last year has entered a not guilty plea and her trial has been scheduled.
One charge each of embezzlement and conspiracy were filed on May 10, 2022 in Lincoln County District Court against Jessica Turpin who served as the Utility Clerk and the Court Clerk in Tryon. A $7,500 warrant originally was issued for her arrest.
During her arraignment June 20 before District Judge Traci Soderstrom, Turpin pleaded not guilty. The judge received he plea and set the cause for the felony disposition docket on Sep. 26, the jury trial call docket Oct. 13 and her jury trial for 9 a.m. Oct. 16.
The judge advised all motions are to be filed by Aug. 8.
The audit was released in February of 2022.
Court records show that Turpin made her initial appearance on June 30 before Judge Mueller and her pre-preliminary was set for Aug. 18.
On that date, Special Judge Emily Mueller continued that hearing until Oct. 13.
Turpin appeared before Judge Mueller on April 27 and waived her preliminary hearing.