Former Suffolk officer pleads guilty to obtaining money under false pretenses
SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A former senior Suffolk Police officer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obtaining money under false pretenses Wednesday morning as part of an agreement with the Commonwealth.
Marco Leslie, 30, was arrested in August 2023 and was charged with the felony crime of obtaining money under false pretenses of greater than or equal to $1,000.
Leslie was supposed to be on duty as a school resource officer at Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School in June 2023 but instead was working security at the Walmart on College Drive about a mile away.
2 Suffolk police officers arrested, charged with obtaining money under false pretenses
During Wednesday’s hearing, Leslie pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge as part of an agreement with the Commonwealth.
As part of the deal, Leslie will have to do 100 hours of community service and make restitution to Walmart’s security firm for a total of $2,700, and meet both of these requirements within 12 months. Otherwise, the original felony charge could come back on the table.
Leslie’s attorney, Tim Anderson, said that despite the misdemeanor plea, Leslie’s law enforcement career is over.
“He’s convicted of a stealing crime, and even as a misdemeanor, it would prohibit his certification as a police officer, so his law-enforcement career is over,” Anderson said outside the courthouse, but he won’t be a felon at the end of it.”
Chief James “Danny” Buie responded to Leslie’s guilty plea with a statement:
“The Suffolk Police Department demands that its officers obey the same laws that they are hired to enforce. We expect our officers to have the utmost integrity, honesty and honor. When our officers violate that oath of honor we will always hold them accountable both administratively and criminally.”
Anderson said Leslie, who had worked as a Suffolk officer for six years until his arrest and termination last year, is looking for a new career.
“He was a school resource officer, he loved his job, and he loved working with the kids,” Anderson said. “Hopefully, there’s still a path for him to work with kids and be a good role model.”
Leslie was one of three Suffolk Police officers arrested last year on charges of financial crimes.
Master Police Officer James Babor was also arrested in August 2023. He faces a felony charge of obtaining money under false pretenses, and his next court date is Aug. 26.
Sgt. Hector Rosario was arrested in December and charged with misdemeanor obtaining money under false pretenses. Rosario pleaded guilty in April and a got a one-year suspended sentence.
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