Editor’s note: This information was posted on our website several weeks ago. Several members of the Pelion community have requested the Chronicle include it in our print edition. Please visit www.lexingtonchronicle.com for updates as they become available.

Former Pelion businessman Sam Jackson, Jr., has been accused of a multimillion dollar embezzlement scheme.

The courtroom was filled at Jackson’s bond hearing Feb. 7.

Paul Kirby reported on the Lexington Ledger web site that Jackson was being held in the Lexington County Detention Center on charges of financial transaction card fraud in excess of $500.  

Other charges may be pending.

During the hearing, the case investigator said Jackson fled to North Carolina with a companion to avoid arrest.

He has been implicated in an alleged scheme that affected his former employer and investors.  

The investigator told the court that:

• Jackson abandoned his family after stealing from the ATM business.  

• His employer had treated him like a part of his family for decades before Jackson betrayed him.  

• For several days Jackson kept his cell phone off to try to avoid capture.

• Jackson and his companion planned to live “off the grid” in North Carolina for a short period. They planned to make their way to Alaska where they hoped to do the same, disappearing into the frontier together.

Jackson was arrested and returned to Lexington County.

After hearing the investigator, the judge:

• Granted Jackson a $15,000 surety bond.

• Ordered him checked by a GPS ankle monitor and to surrender his passport.  

His next court appearance is set for April 4.

Jackson was in a management team at a business owned by the Shumpert family, as well as a partner in another local business. His family has been in the area for generations and Jackson has served on Pelion’s town council and been involved in other community organizations.

Frank Shumpert, owner of Shumpert’s IGA and mayor of Pelion, confirmed for Kirby that Jackson was no longer with his company.