RIEGELWOOD, N.C. (From news reports) -- The Columbus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) arrested a former West Fraser Timber employee following an investigation into alleged embezzlement involving payroll manipulation.

Sylvia Lathanda Allen, 49, was taken into custody Wednesday, Jan. 14, and charged in connection with the embezzlement investigation.

CCSO states it received a report on Dec. 30, 2025, from a West Fraser representative regarding suspected embezzlement by an employee. The company had identified the matter through an internal investigation and referred it to law enforcement.

CCSO says detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division launched an investigation into the allegations.

During the investigation, CCSO identified evidence indicating job codes within the payroll system had been manually altered, resulting in improper payments. Based on the evidence collected, the case was presented to a Columbus County magistrate who found probable cause and issued a warrant for arrest on Jan. 13.

According to an arrest warrant, Allen allegedly embezzled $53,852 from the company.

Allen was issued a $100,000 unsecured bond by a Columbus County magistrate.