By Robert Patrick
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)
DELLWOOD, Mo. — The former chief of the Metro North Fire Protection District was sentenced to probation and six months house arrest Tuesday for stealing more than $30,000 of district funds.
David P. Jetton, 54, of Dellwood, charged personal expenses on district credit cards, received payroll checks he was not due, used district checks for personal auto repairs and added family members’ cell phones to his district account, authorities said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Schelp said that the “criminal loss” was between $30,000 and $70,000, although a district civil suit claimed that he had taken more than $200,000. Jetton lawyer Chet Pleban said that district records could not back up the district’s claims, and the suit settled for $100,000.
“When push came to shove, they couldn’t produce the necessary documentation,” Pleban said.
In February, when Jetton pleaded guilty to a single felony charge of fraudulent use of a credit card, he said that he began stealing from the district to make up for what he thought was an “unjust” pay cut.
Jetton faced 10 to 16 months in prison, but U.S. District Judge Carol Jackson told Jetton, “I don’t believe you belong in prison.” She seemed both surprised and impressed that Jetton had liquidated his pension to pay back the district, and said that she had received letters of support for Jetton from the community.
Floyd Renner, the district’s current chief, and board lawyer Frank Vatterott could not be immediately reached for comment.
The district, which was known by the name of Moline Acres until 2003, has one station that covers Dellwood, Moline Acres and an unincorporated area of north St. Louis County.
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