By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A trial date has been set for a former Canadian County emergency manager accused of embezzling county-owned funds and equipment.
A jury trial for Troy Steven Mead, 49, is due to start Monday, June 5 before Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse.
Mead was charged in April 2020 with embezzlement of state property, a felony crime punishable by one to 20 years in state prison and a maximum $500 fine.
Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey alleges Mead embezzled from Canadian County between August 2017 and March 2018 while acting as the county’s emergency management director.
The defendant is accused of “wrongfully appropriately $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,” according to the charging document.
Mead worked for Canadian County from May 2017 until he resigned in March 2018.
Mead and his legal counsel appeared Feb. 21 for formal arraignment before Judge Hesse in Canadian County District Court. The defendant entered a not guilty plea and was advised of his right to a speedy trial, court minutes show.
A motions hearing is set May 16 with call docket announcement May 23 in preparation for the June 5th trial, according to a scheduling order signed by Hesse.
At a preliminary hearing Nov. 29, 2022, Canadian County Special Judge Charles Gass found probable cause that Mead committed the offense in Canadian County.
SHERIFF’S INVESTIGATION
As Canadian County’s emergency management director, Mead was empowered to apply for grants to be used for emergency preparation and response.
Total amount embezzled was valued at $2,960.95, according to a probable cause affidavit signed by Canadian County sheriff’s investigator Mike Grimes.
Mead allegedly endorsed the back of a Walmart grant 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 Pro4s 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, Lt. Grimes learned about the county-owned property that went missing – Notebook computer, color printer, ballistic vest, GPS device and mount, and computer software.
