Indiana State Police detectives arrested a Seymour man on theft and forgery charges after a nearly 10-month investigation into funds stolen from a volunteer fire department.
The investigation by Detective Jason Duncan, ISP-Versailles, began in September of 2020 when officials with the Jackson-Washington Township Fire Department in Jackson County contacted the Indiana State Police and requested an investigation after suspecting one of the department’s members stole thousands of dollars from the department.
The investigation determined that during 2019 and 2020, Christopher L. McKain, 44, Seymour, was tasked with doing various jobs for the fire department, said Indiana State Police spokesman Stephen Wheeles.
McKain allegedly told the department that jobs were completed, or items were purchased from numerous businesses in the area. He then forged invoices from the businesses, showing that work had been completed and items had been purchased by McKain, Wheeles said. McKain then submitted the fraudulent invoices to the Jackson-Washington Township treasurer where he was reimbursed.
It was determined that McKain took approximately $20,000 from the department through getting reimbursed from forged invoices during the two-year span, Wheeles said.
After the investigation was completed, the case was turned over to the Jackson County Prosecutor for review.
Troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post arrested Christopher McKain Friday on a Jackson County Circuit warrant for theft, a Level 6 felony, and forgery, a Level 6 felony.
McKain was incarcerated at the Jackson County Jail Friday pending his initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court, Wheeles said.