A former volunteer firefighter who stole more than $16,000 from the Casville Volunteer Fire Department will stay out of prison as long as he keeps repaying what he took.
On Wednesday, Judge Susan Tucker sentenced David Tennant to 1-10 years in prison for his conviction of embezzlement and suspended the sentence for five years of probation as long as he pays $400 a month towards the $16,280 he stole. She also ordered him to server 150 hours of community service.
“And if you don’t without having a hearing to explain why not you will be subject to revocation of your probation,” Tucker said.
Tennant has paid a total of $8,400. Prior to his plea hearing, Tennant paid $5,000. He paid an additional $3,000 in August and $400 on Wednesday. Tucker agreed to count Wednesday’s payment as the one for September.
The regular payments as a term of probation came at the request of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Fitz.
He said Tennant, like many defendants, tended to forget it was their freedom on the line when the fire wasn’t on their feet and requested the payments be scheduled so the restitution was paid back within two years.
Making the victim whole again was the most important aspect in the case, Fitz said.
If Tennant pays off the remaining money before his probation ends, Tucker said she would consider, but not promise, releasing him from probation early.
Representatives from the Cassville VFD were at the hearing but did not wish to comment on the outcome of the case.
