JACKSON, Ohio — The former chief of the Coalton volunteer fire department pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to embezzling more than $200,000 in department funds for personal use.
Johnny Baker, 37, of Wellston, Ohio, entered a guilty plea to one count of mail fraud in U.S. District Court. According to court documents, Baker used a department credit card for personal expenses, including vacations, entertainment, firearms, and home utility bills. He then used money raised from the community through a pull-tab fundraising system to pay the credit card bills.
Baker served the Coalton fire department since 2009, holding various positions, and was solely responsible for managing departmental finances as chief. The embezzlement scheme ran from 2020 to 2023.
As part of the plea agreement, Baker will pay approximately $226,000 in restitution. Mail fraud is a federal crime carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by the court at a future hearing.