North Carolina Police Officer Arrested After Allegedly Throwing Body Camera Into Lake to Hide On-Duty Sexual Activity
Lake Royale Police Department officer Samuel Marcum, 34, was fired and arrested after admitting he threw his $200 body camera into Lake Royale to conceal having sex with his girlfriend in his patrol car while on duty. Marcum initially told colleagues he lost the camera during an ice storm, but provided a written statement on June 6 admitting to the act and citing fear of disciplinary consequences. The case highlights concerns about police accountability and the integrity of body camera programs designed to promote transparency.
Samuel Marcum, a 34-year-old officer with the Lake Royale Police Department in Franklin County, North Carolina, was fired and arrested on Wednesday following an internal investigation into a missing body camera. According to arrest warrants and court records, Marcum was on duty in late January when he allowed his girlfriend into his marked patrol car and allegedly engaged in sexual activity, then threw his body camera into Lake Royale to prevent discovery. He initially filed a false report claiming the camera was lost during an ice storm, but on June 6 submitted a written statement admitting he had discarded it out of fear of disciplinary action. Marcum now faces charges of obstruction of justice, making false official statements, injury to personal property, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. He was released after posting a $20,000 bond. The Lake Royale Police Department issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to professionalism, integrity, and public trust. The investigation is described as ongoing.
What's missing
It is not yet publicly known whether Marcum has entered a plea, and the full scope of the ongoing investigation — including whether any other officers were aware of the conduct — has not been reported.
How coverage differed
The Independent framed the story with added context about the broader role of body cameras in police accountability and referenced a separate incident in California, situating the case within systemic concerns. The New York Post and Fox News focused more on the sensational details of the incident itself, with Fox News embedding the story within a lighthearted entertainment column, which significantly softened the accountability angle.
What different sources said
- New York PostRight
North Carolina cop allegedly tossed body cam into lake to cover up having sex in patrol car
- The IndependentLeft
Cop threw his body cam into a lake to cover up he was having sex in his patrol car, authorities say
- Fox NewsRight
Officer's romantic outings in patrol car lead to trouble, naughty cruise sets sail & unconventional attraction
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