A former LeCroy Career Technical Center employee was indicted by a grand jury on 18 charges including first-degree theft, one count of ethics violations and 16 counts of possessing a forged instrument.

Temika Winters, 37, of Clanton, the former bookkeeper at the LeCroy Career Technical Center, allegedly stole nearly $50,000 from the school over an 18-month period, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office C.J. Robinson.

Winters was originally arrested Nov. 26 after the District Attorney’s Office conducted an investigation of suspected theft at the request of the Clanton Police Department due to a conflict of interest.

Robinson said Winters’ husband is an officer with the Clanton Police Department so the district attorney’s office brought in a special investigator to look into the case.

The investigation started after an employee at LeCroy noticed some unusual accounting practices.

Robinson said Winters worked for the Chilton County Board of Education for 15 years.

At the time of her arrest, Robinson said in this particular case, forged instruments referred to checks.

Winters was taken to the Chilton County Jail on Nov. 26 with a $100,000 bond.

She has since been released from jail on bond, and was indicted Feb. 14 by the grand jury.

The Chilton County BOE approved Winters’ resignation on Feb. 18.

Winters’ arraignment is scheduled for March 10 in front of Chilton County Judge Sibley Reynolds.

If convicted, Winters could face up to 20 years in prison for her charges including the theft charge which is a Class B felony.

The ethics violations and possession of forged instrument charges are considered Class C felonies.