Former Torrance County sheriff under investigation for embezzlement

Former Torrance County Sheriff Heath White, who is now the county's magistrate judge, is under investigation for embezzlement of county funds, the New Mexico State Police said Wednesday.

Agents from the NMSP's Investigations Bureau served search warrants Tuesday on Heath's home, business and vehicle in Edgewood, the State Police said in a statement to the ABQReport. Whatever evidence the agents recovered was not immediately made public as the search warrants have been sealed, NMSP said. The investigation began on March 8, the State Police said.

White served two terms as Torrance County sheriff and was elected Magistrate Court judge last year. He started on the bench in January.

Here's the NMSP's statement to the ABQReport:

New Mexico State Police Investigate Former Torrance County Sheriff’s Office Employee for Embezzlement

On March 8, 2019 the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau opened an investigation into a former Torrance County Sheriff’s Office Employee for suspected embezzlement of Torrance County funds.

As a result of the initial investigation, State Police agents served search warrants on a residence, business and vehicle in Edgewood on April 16, 2019. In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation those search warrants have been sealed as the investigation continues and are not available.

When the investigation is complete it will be forwarded to the appropriate attorneys for prosecution. There is currently no additional information available for release. State Police Investigations Bureau agents continue to investigate this active case.