By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
EL RENO – Canadian County’s former emergency manager, who faces prison for embezzling grant money and equipment bought with county funds, has been arrested – more than 1-1/2 years after being charged with the crime.
Troy Steven Mead, 48, posted a $5,000 cash bond and was released from custody Oct. 15 after a warrant was served for his arrest in Canadian County District Court.
Special Judge Khristan Strubhar issued that warrant April 1, 2020, when Mead was formally charged with embezzlement of state property.
Mead, represented by Norman attorney Allison Roberts, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500 fine if convicted of the felony charge.
The crime allegedly occurred in February 2018 while Mead was serving as Canadian County’s emergency manager.
Prosecutors allege Mead violated state law “by wrongfully appropriating $1,200 in grant money awarded to Canadian County, a Brother brand printer, a Samsung computer, a Garmin GPS device, a ballistic vest and other software and equipment purchased with county funds,” court documents show.
The allegations against the defendant were investigated by Lt. Mike Grimes of the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office.
Mead, who formerly lived on Conestoga Drive in Yukon, has a listed address in Green Valley, Ariz.
Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse has been assigned to hear the criminal case.
RESIGNED IN MARCH 2018
Mead was Canadian County’s emergency manager between May 2017 until he resigned his position in March 2018. In this capacity, he was empowered to apply for grants to be used for emergency preparation and response.
Total amount embezzled was valued at $2,960.95 – including a $1,200 Wal-Mart grant check, according to a probable cause affidavit signed by Lt. Grimes.
The defendant allegedly endorsed the back of the check, “For Deposit Only, Canadian County Emergency Manager Troy Mead”, and deposited the money into his personal bank account.
The grant funds were supposed to be used by the Canadian County Emergency Management Office to purchase new Surface Pro 4s and MS Office, updated technology, and personal protective equipment, and to remodel the emergency operations center.
When he resigned his position, Mead allegedly took items valued at $1,760.95 that belonged to Canadian County and converted them for his personal use.
During his investigation, investigator Grimes learned about the county owned property that went missing – Notebook computer, color printer, ballistic vest, GPS device and mount, and computer software.
