AIKEN, S.C. — The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office fired Deputy Jake Mele on Oct. 14 after an internal review found he collected pay for an off-duty shift he never worked, the office said in a release.
A complaint lodged Oct. 9 alleged Mele signed up for the side job, failed to appear, then reported that he had worked and took payment. Investigators later concluded he did not work the shift.
The office said Mele was dismissed for misconduct in office and unbecoming conduct. He joined the agency on Sept. 13, 2024. The release did not name the off-duty employer, the pay amount or any response from Mele.
Sheriff Marty Sawyer said the office must meet the standards the community expects and that the conduct does not reflect those values. A misconduct packet is being sent to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy over Mele’s certification, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has been asked to investigate.
