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Court employee accused of buying drugs during lunch break outside courthouse

SHELBY, N.C. — A woman who worked in the Cleveland County court system for more than a decade coordinating cases and helping put criminals in prison is accused of buying drugs during her lunch break outside of the courthouse.

Shelby police said Melissa Justice bought 25 pills in an area where deputies often park their vehicles.

Undercover Officer Lt. Chris Howington said it is a big crime.

“People that work in that profession (the courts) should understand that,” Howington said.

He said police got tipped off about Justice after arresting a former coworker of hers from the Cleveland County clerk’s office. Police arrested Justice’s friend, Alyssa Hamrick, a few days before they arrested Justice. The district attorney’s office indicted both women.

Police said the arrests were part of a big operation.

“You can get prescription pills a lot easier than you can get crack cocaine or meth,” Howington said.

Last year, Justice left the clerk’s office and started work with district court judges hearing cases. She appeared in court on Wednesday as a defendant.

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“Friend or foe, if you commit a crime, we have a job to do and that’s what we intend to do,” District Attorney Mike Miller said.

The cases are now in superior court and the DA said his team will work them.

“The public has to have confidence when they come to the courthouse,” Miller said. “Regardless of who you are, if you commit a crime in my district, at least you will be held accountable.”

Police told Channel 9 they are still working the investigation and expect to make more arrests, but probably not anyone else connected to the courthouse.