The Lee County Sheriff’s Office today said that on Feb. 1, at around 2:10 p.m., a complaint was filed by the Sheriff’s Office finance drector regarding the theft of an employee paycheck from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Civil Section, located at 2072 Victoria Ave. in Fort Myers. The complainant stated the stolen check had been issued for the amount of $1,873.05 to a Civil Section employee who does not have direct deposit, according to a report released by the Sheriff’s Office.

The employee said he came to work on January 15 and discovered his check was missing from his department mail box. The finance director contacted SunTrust Bank and learned the check had been cleared without an endorsement. A subsequent trace of the check revealed it had been deposited into a Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union account belonging to Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Peter L. Garcia, 60. Detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit assumed the investigation.

Investigators issued a subpoena to Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union for Garcia’s records and documentation. The information confirmed Garcia deposited a check for the amount of $1,873.05 into his personal account on Jan.14, 2010. The record shows that Garcia uses direct deposit for his paychecks, and would have no reason to deposit agency paychecks, or checks totaling as much as $1873.05, into his personal account,the Sheriff’s report stated.

On Thursday, Feb. 4, investigators arrested Peter Garcia and charged him with one count of grand theft between $300 and $5,000. He has been transported to the Lee County Jail for booking and has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs investigation.

“It goes without saying that these actions are contrary to everything this agency stands for,” said Sheriff Mike Scott. “Our mission is to enforce the law and I am disappointed anytime one of our members falls short of the public’s expectations. Peter Garcia’s actions are regrettable, but I remain proud of the men and women of this agency who protect and serve and hold themselves to higher standards.”

Garcia has been employed with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office since 1990. He is currently assigned to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Civil Section.