GATESVILLE – A former Gates County public official was arrested here late yesterday (Friday) afternoon and charged with two felonies, including embezzlement.

Wendy Noble, the county’s former Communications Director and Emergency Management Coordinator, was arrested by the SBI on charges of embezzlement by a public official in a position of trust and uttering a forged instrument. Both charges are felonies.

Noble was expected to post the $15,000 secured bond last night. Her first court appearance may come as early as Monday.

Confirmed sources told the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald that the charges were in reference to a state-level emergency management check, in excess of $13,000, that never made it to the county’s bank account.

The investigation surrounding that missing money has been ongoing by the SBI for several months. The initial request for an investigation came from Gates County officials who contacted District Attorney Frank Parrish.

Friday’s warrants were served on Noble in Washington County where she reportedly now resides. She was then transported back to Gates County.

Prior to accepting the Communications/Emergency Management job, Noble served as a Gates County Sheriff’s Deputy. She was unsuccessful in her write-in bid for Sheriff during the November, 2006 general election.