Ohio fire chief is sentenced to prison for embezzlement

The chief of a volunteer fire department in Jackson County, Ohio, who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $200,000 in fire department funds was sentenced to 12 months in prison Wednesday. Johnny Baker of Wellston, Ohio pleaded guilty to using the department’s credit card for a number of personal expenses including vacations, sports tickets, firearms, home utility payments, electronics and clothing over the course of about three years. Prosecutors said the funds that were used came from a fundraiser for the fire department that Baker initiated. Baker initially used the funds to buy needed supplies for the department, but eventually began using the funds for himself. Eyewitness News said, as part of his sentence, Baker will pay about $226,000 in restitution.