The former fire chief of the Blackberry Volunteer Fire Department in Pike County, Kentucky pleaded guilty to theft of pandemic relief funds. Prosecutors said Christopher Chapman applied for grants in 2022 meant for fire and rescue gear and building maintenance and the volunteer fire department was awarded the full amounts. Chapman admitted to then creating a company – Rural Public Safety Equipment, LLC – that he was the sole organizer and member of and ordered $76,000 in fire and safety equipment on behalf of the fire department. Prosecutors said Chapman did not disclose that he was the owner of the company and instead of fulfilling the orders spent all of the money for his personal use, including withdrawing $61,500 in cash. Eyewitness News said a sentencing hearing for Chapman is scheduled for Nov. 25. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.