Hunter
09/22/20
A Mount Pleasant man has been taken into custody after being accused of an ongoing theft of monies from his employer.
According to authorities, 31-year-old Zachary Russell of Lexington Avenue conducted an ongoing theft while employed with the Johnson County Agricultural Association between August 2018 and February 2020. He reportedly used corporate bank debit cards, the association’s checking account, and lines of credit to purchase items for his personal use and not associated with the business of maintaining the Fairgrounds.
Police say Russell made withdrawals from the company account, and also transferred money to his personal bank account and his Pay Pal account.
Part of his duties at the Ag Association included maintenance and cleaning of the fairgrounds. The investigation alleges that beginning in October 2018, Russell instead hired a commercial cleaning business to perform those duties, and paid them over $9000 using the Association’s funds.
Russell also reportedly wrote himself a check for $4525 and deposited it into his personal account on December 19, 2018.
Among the items Russell is accused of acquiring with the alleged stolen funds include a 2014 Chevy Silverado pickup, using an association debit card for a $1200 down payment. On January 21st of this year, he allegedly transferred nearly $16,000 into his personal account and used a good portion of that money to purchase a 2018 Stampede X ATV from Fast City.
The total amount of money Russell is accused of removing from the Association for his personal use exceeds $26,820.
He was taken into custody Monday night and charged with Ongoing Criminal Conduct, two counts of First Degree Theft, two counts of Second Degree Theft, and one count of Third Degree Theft. If convicted on all counts, Russell could be sentenced to up to 57 years in prison.