Pontotoc County Investigator Accused of Pawning State Issued Firearms

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

ADA, Oklahoma -- An investigator with the Pontotoc County District Attorney's Office faces serious charges of embezzlement.

Recently released court documents gave new details of what Trever Wayne Manuel, 38, is accused of doing. He is charged with four counts of false declaration of ownership in pawn and two counts of embezzlement.

The court documents stated Manuel embezzled "about $9,000 of money seized during criminal investigations" and pawned several state issued weapons at pawn shops in Ada and Sulphur. On some occasions, he even sold the rifles using his undercover Oklahoma driver's license.

"He also pawned several weapons that had been seized pursuant to investigations and pawned his own personal weapons that had been issued to him by the state of Oklahoma," said Pottawatomie County District Attorney Richard Smothermon.

The incidents occurred between 2007 and 2010 while Manuel was serving as an investigator with the Pontotoc District Attorney's Narcotics Task Force.

Pontotac County District Attorney Chris Ross is a witness in the case and recused himself. Pottawatomie District Attorney Richard Smothermon was appointed to prosecute the case.

It's especially egregious because we're supposed to uphold the law and sworn to enforce the law, and people lose faith in the system. That's why this type of case is so bad," Smothermon said. "He could go to prison for a long time."

Manuel is scheduled to appear in court on October 7 where it will be his first opportunity to enter a plea.