By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
On the eve of his trial, Canadian County’s former emergency manager was convicted of embezzling state property – but he won’t have to spend time in prison.
Troy Steven Mead, 50, entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor May 23 in Canadian County District Court.
“I wrongfully appropriated state property while employed as the Canadian County emergency manager,” according to Mead’s signed guilty plea.
Mead received a one-year suspended sentence and will be supervised by the District Attorney’s Office while on probation. He made a lump-sum $2,961 restitution payment to Canadian County Emergency Management.
A $5,000 bond, posted Oct. 15, 2021, was exonerated.
A jury trial had been scheduled to begin June 5 before Canadian County District Court Paul Hesse.
Mead was charged in April 2020 with a felony for embezzling funds and equipment from Canadian County between August 2017 and March 2018 while employed as the county’s emergency management director.
At a preliminary hearing in November 2022, Canadian County Special Judge Charles Gass found probable cause that he committed the offense.
Mead had faced one to 20 years in state prison if convicted on the felony charge. But the charge was amended to a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum $500 fine.
The plea agreement includes the one-year suspended sentence, full restitution, $500 fine, $200 victim’s compensation assessment, supervision by the District Attorney’s Office for six months, and 100 hours of community service.
The defendant “will not be employed, nor volunteer, as an employee, contractor, or subcontractor for any government entity of any level or in any jurisdiction,” according to the written judgment and sentence.
The document was signed by Judge Hesse, defendant Mead and his attorney Natalie Christie.
Mead worked for Canadian County from May 2017 until he resigned in March 2018. He previously had a Yukon address but now lives in Green Valley, Ariz.
Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey prosecuted the case.
WRONGFUL APPROPRIATION
Mead wrongfully appropriated $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.
Total amount embezzled was valued at $2,960.95, according to a probable cause affidavit signed by Canadian County sheriff’s investigator Mike Grimes.
As Canadian County’s emergency management director, Mead was empowered to apply for grants to be used for emergency preparation and response.
Mead 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 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.
