South Carolina cop Frederick Payne paid $203 for sex then filed fake $276 fraud claim: cops

A South Carolina police officer is facing prostitution, bank fraud and obstruction charges after allegedly paying for sex and filing a false fraud claim, according to arrest warrants.

Frederick Trent Payne, 43, was an officer with the Pacolet Police Department when the alleged crimes occurred, investigators said.

On May 5, Payne allegedly paid $203 for sexual acts at Royal Springs Massage, according to arrest warrants.

Six days later, Payne called Founders Federal Credit Union and filed a false $276 claim, investigators said. The filing was made as part of an alleged scheme to defraud the financial institution, according to investigators.

Payne was off duty when the alleged incidents occurred, police said.

On May 21, SLED interviewed Payne as part of a criminal investigation, authorities said.

Payne intentionally provided false statements during the criminal interview, authorities said. Those alleged false statements to state investigators resulted in an obstruction of justice charge, officials said.

The Pacolet Police Department suspended Payne without pay after officials learned about the SLED investigation, the department said.

Payne resigned from the police department on Wednesday, officials said.

Authorities formally charged the former officer on Thursday, police said.

The defendant is charged with crime against a federally chartered financial institution, first-offense prostitution and obstruction of justice, according to arrest warrants.

The charges involve an alleged $203 prostitution transaction, an alleged $276 fraudulent claim and allegations of lying to state investigators, records show. The total amount involved in the alleged scheme reached $479, according to investigators.

Payne is accused, not convicted, as he faces the undecided charges, authorities said.