Publication Date: June 11, 2026
A North Carolina police officer has been fired and arrested after allegedly throwing his body-worn camera into a lake to conceal sexual activity with his girlfriend inside his patrol car while on duty.
According to court records, Samuel Marcum, 34, of the Lake Royale Police Department, was arrested on June 11 following a months-long internal investigation.
Authorities accuse Marcum of using a marked police patrol car to meet his girlfriend in late January. Following the incident, he allegedly threw the recording camera into Lake Royale to avoid detection and disciplinary action.
Initially, Marcum reported to colleagues that the approximately $200 camera had been lost during an ice storm.
However, according to the arrest warrant, the subsequent investigation found this statement to be untrue.
On June 6, Marcum reportedly submitted a written statement admitting to having sexual relations with his girlfriend in the patrol car and disposing of the camera due to fear of disciplinary consequences.
The Lake Royale Police Department stated that Marcum was terminated immediately after the investigation concluded.
The man currently faces charges of obstruction of justice, making false statements to authorities, destruction of property, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Court records show that Marcum was released on a $20,000 bond.
