Arizona ex-fire chief pleads guilty to theft charges

YUCCA, Ariz. (AP) — A former fire chief accused of embezzling $40,000 from his Arizona district pleaded guilty to felony charges of theft

The Kingman Daily Miner reports Matthew J. Young entered his plea last week in connection with charges of theft and misuse of public monies.

Young was indicted in July after he allegedly turned himself in to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and admitted to stealing about $40,000 from his department’s bank account from last January through July.

According to investigators, Young used funds allegedly embezzled from the Yucca Fire District to purchase several guns, 3D printers, two boats and other items.

Under the terms of Young’s plea agreement, he could be sentenced to three years of supervised probation, as much as 30 days in jail, and will be required to pay restitution of at least $40,000 to the Yucca Fire District.

He is scheduled to be sentenced at a Jan. 31 hearing.