Former juvenile probation officer convicted of violating oath of office in Madison County

A former state juvenile probation officer handling cases in Madison County was convicted of felony charges recently and ordered to spend time in a state prison.

A Madison County Superior Court jury convicted Cortney Jean Gunter, 41, of felony theft by deception and violating her oath of office in a trial that ended on July 11.

Superior Court Judge Jeffery Malcom sentenced Gunter to 12 years with the first three years in prison and the remainder on probation.

Assistant District Attorney Jeff Lee prosecuted the case in which Gunter, working as a juvenile probation officer for the Department of Juvenile Justice, was accused of taking $1,500 from a person she supervised on probation.

District Attorney Parks White issued a statement that the person’s probation had terminated, but Gunter threatened the person with “going before the judge” if he didn’t pay the money.

The probationer was led to believe he owed the money as a fine, according to the indictment.

In addition, she was convicted of violating her oath of office due to the crime of theft by deception.

Gunter, who was residing at the time on Duncan Springs Road, Commerce, was arrested in September 2020 on the charges. She was out of jail on bond prior to her trial.

A spokesman for the state agency said investigators believe Gunter was using the money for “her own personal benefit.”