NATCHEZ — Ferriday High School Principal Michelle Bethea was arrested in Natchez Saturday on old charges of false pretense.

Bethea, stopped for a traffic violation, was found to have an outstanding warrant issued in 1996. Bethea reportedly wrote two bad checks in 1995. One check was for $55, the other was for $28.16, Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said.

Bethea, 41, has been principal at Ferriday High since the summer of 2006. She lives in Clayton.

She was released Saturday night on $963 bond.

Acting Superintendent Loretta Blankenstein said Sunday night that she has not heard the news and did not yet have a comment.