A Wilkes County educator appeared in court today on fraud-related charges following his arrest by agents from the State Bureau of Investigation on Thursday.

William Wesley Poplin, 52, of Ronda, was charged with five felony counts of embezzlement and seven felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense. Poplin was the chair of continuing education at Wilkes Community College prior to his arrest.

Poplin was given a $25,000 unsecured bond and processed at the Wilkes County jail before being released.

Officials from Wilkes Community College discovered the fraud and reported it to the District Attorney, who requested SBI investigative assistance.

The investigation is currently ongoing.

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