CMPD Employee Arrested and Charged with Embezzlement

Published on September 24, 2026

Charlotte, N.C. – (Thursday, September 24, 2026) – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is conducting a criminal investigation that has resulted in the arrest of a professional staff employee.

On Thursday, September 17, a routine supervisory review revealed inconsistencies in payment receipt documentation submitted by Wilson Rivera Espinosa, a safety specialist assigned to the Passenger Vehicle for Hire (PVH) Unit. Further assessment prompted CMPD’s Financial Crimes Unit to launch a criminal investigation on Tuesday, September 22. Rivera Espinosa was immediately reassigned to non-public-facing duties pending the outcome.

On Thursday, September 24, detectives arrested Rivera Espinosa and charged him with one count of Embezzlement.

Following the arrest, Rivera Espinosa was placed on administrative leave without pay. Simultaneously, formal termination proceedings have been initiated in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

CMPD emphasizes that the operations of the PVH program were never impacted by this incident. At no point was any customer denied or prevented from receiving PVH services as a result of this incident.

Rivera Espinosa was originally hired by the department on March 3, 2025.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the CMPD Financial Crimes Unit by calling 704-432-3906. The public can also leave information anonymously by calling Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, using the Charlotte Crime Stoppers P3 Tips Mobile App or by visiting the Charlotte Crime Stoppers website.

As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Office. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20260923-1507-03.

Statement from Chief Estella D. Patterson:
“Public trust is fundamental to everything we do, and we hold both our sworn and professional staff to a high standard of accountability. When we identify violations of the law or department policy, we will act quickly, investigate thoroughly, and take appropriate action.”

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