CLAYTON, N.C. — A man with a lengthy criminal history is facing new felony charges after allegedly using stolen identities to obtain a job at Crosscreek Charter School in Franklin County.
Gregory Pettiford, of Clayton, is accused of using the driver’s license numbers of at least one individual to apply for a position at the school, according to court documents obtained by WRAL. Authorities charged him with two felony counts of identity theft and two misdemeanor counts related to possession of a fake driver’s license and Social Security card.
The investigation began when administrators at the school noticed discrepancies in Pettiford’s employment paperwork. Louisburg Police Chief Travis Lincoln confirmed that Pettiford had no direct interaction with students and that the school acted quickly upon discovering irregularities.
“We’re already working with Crosscreek Charter School to ensure stronger hiring protocols are in place to prevent something like this from happening again,” Lincoln said in a statement.
Records show Pettiford has a criminal history dating back to the 1980s, with multiple charges tied to fraud, impersonation, and theft. Earlier this year, Raleigh Police arrested him for allegedly writing a fraudulent check for vehicle repairs.
Security expert Jason Russell, a former Secret Service agent and president of Secure Environment Consultants, emphasized the risk of allowing individuals with falsified documents into educational institutions. “He’s exploiting a gap in the hiring process that could’ve had serious consequences,” Russell told WRAL.
The vetting process at Crosscreek Charter School remains unclear, and the school has not yet commented on the case or its hiring protocols.
Pettiford was released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court on September 25, 2025.
