Sentencing continued for sheriff who embezzled drug funds

The sentencing date for a former Carteret County sheriff convicted for his part in the embezzlement of funds intended for drug investigations has been continued.

Former Sheriff Ralph Thomas Jr., who served as sheriff of Carteret County from 1986 to 2006, pleaded guilty in federal court in May to conspiring to commit an offense against the United States.

Thomas was scheduled to appear in court this week for sentencing but the date has now been continued until October, according to U.S. Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Robin Zier. A specific court date has not yet been set.

Thomas and four former deputies who served under him have been convicted on charges stemming from a nearly four-year investigation into the misuse and embezzlement of funds used by the sheriff’s office for drug investigations.

Frank Galizia and Boyce Floyd Jr. pleaded guilty in July to aiding and abetting the embezzlement and intentional misapplication of drug funds from Carteret County. Christopher Cozart and Thomas “Mark” Farlow pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, indicating they knew about the activities and did nothing to report it.

Farlow was also scheduled to be in court this week for sentencing. His court date has been moved to Sept. 24. Galizia and Floyd are scheduled to be in court in November.

Cozart was sentenced to five years probation and 19 days of incarceration to be served intermittently.