The Times Record News
WICHITA FALLS, Texas — A former chief of the Wichita East Volunteer Fire Department has entered a plea on charges that he stole from the department.
Derrel Richard Barrett, 38, will be sentenced on the Class A misdemeanor charge in early August.
According to an arrest affidavit, a Wichita County deputy met with members of the Fire Department Dec. 20 and learned they suspected Barrett was charging gasoline for his personal vehicle on the department’s charge account. Barrett told the deputy he had charged the fuel because on several occasions he used his personal vehicle as a command vehicle.
The deputy checked the gas purchases against the department’s fire calls and discovered that out of 16 purchases Barrett had made, only two we re on or near dates that corresponded with fire calls. The amount for the other 14 fuelpurchases was $907.99. In March, Barrett admitted he had charged the gas for his personal use.
Area volunteer fire departments have found themselves strapped for cash lately because a large number of wildfires over the past few years have taken a toll on equipment and other resources.
Barrett admitted he had charged gasoline for his personal use.
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