Former Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Roger Hawthorne was charged with felony embezzlement Friday.

Virginia State Police Spokesman Sgt. Michael Conroy said Hawthorne surrendered himself Friday after Special Agent Brad Burnette served a warrant for embezzlement after he was indicted by a Carroll County Grand Jury.

“He arranged a meeting to meet with Burnette and surrender himself,” Conroy said. “He has cooperated with the investigation. He went to the magistrate Friday and was let go on an unsecured, personal recognizance bond.”

Hawthorne had been the subject of a Virginia State Police Investigation after the chamber alleged he had embezzled between $25,000 and $50,000 between his hire date in Jan. of 2006 until he resigned in early August this year. Mike Metcalf, President of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, previously said findings of an internal investigation by the chamber were turned over to the authorities after somewhere in the vicinity of $50,000 was in question. Metcalf said the chamber approached Hawthorne about making restitution, but Hawthorne wasn’t able to do so.

“Based on that and our findings, we turned it over to criminal investigation,” Metcalf said.

Conroy could not say exactly how much Hawthorne is believed to have embezzled. It appears to be at least several thousand dollars, but a complete audit hasn’t been done yet.

“Until they complete the audit, I can’t really say how much. He has been charged and it is still an ongoing investigation. The exact amount probably won’t be known until closer to court or until an agreement is reached,” Conroy said.

Conroy said Hawthorne’s first court appearance, an advisement hearing, is set for Nov. 5. Commonwealth’s Attorney Gregory G. Goad said Mike Fleenor, Commonwealth’s Attorney from Pulaski County, has been appointed as special prosecutor in the case.