CORRECTION: This story’s headline was updated May 19, 2026, to clarify that the person charged is the former manager of the market.
Read more NC Republicans file bill to reduce early voting period ahead of November midterms
Wake Forest police have charged the former manager of the Wake Forest Farmers’ Market with embezzlement.
Michelle Fryman, 54, of Oxford, is accused of misappropriating $6,552 of Farmers’ Market funds, according to a town news release.
The alleged felony offense occurred sometime between Feb. 2, 2024, and Dec. 16, 2025, according to her arrest warrant.
She was arrested Monday evening by the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and later released from custody on a $20,000 secured bond. Her first court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday.
Read more Raleigh’s draft budget cuts spending but raises tax rate. How much you could pay.
In February, police launched an investigation after market employees reported missing money, the release stated.
Fryman was fired as manager Dec. 27, 2025, according to a letter from the majority of the board of directors provided to The News & Observer on Tuesday.
The board also removed Fryman’s husband as market president ”because he has not been at the majority of markets” and removed their son as the market’s money collector and newsletter writer, according to their letters.
The Wake Forest Farmers’ Market is a year-round market currently operating on summer hours from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays on South Taylor Street.
Read more Why country star Eric Church’s commencement speech at UNC has gone viral
This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 8:20 AM.