OBERLIN – In January, Kenneth Johnson, 55, was fired from his job as Oberlin’s assistant police chief, and in February, he was arrested and booked into the parish jail on theft charges.
In a short press release, the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division said it was notified on Friday, February 21, by the Ward One District Five Fire Board of a possible theft. Funds from the department’s bank account were missing.
Detectives launched an investigation into the allegations which suggested the former treasurer Kenneth Johnson had issued, cashed and/or deposited checks from the department’s account that he was not entitled to for personal gain.
A week later, on Friday, February 28, 2020, the sheriff’s office filed charges against Johnson, as a result of the investigation, Johnson was arrested and booked into the Allen Parish Jail for violating Louisiana Revised Statute 14:67.B.1, theft over $25,000.
Johnson’s bond has been set at $15,000. The investigation in ongoing.
In January when Oberlin Chief Grady Haynes had to recommend Johnson’s firing, he reported Johnson had not called in or reported to work on the 14, 15, and 18th of December. Ultimately the chief had to decide to terminate Johnson. He even offered to conduct a meeting with Johnson if there were circumstances Johnson needed to bring to light because Chief Haynes was worried.
The Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation into the missing funds at the fire department.
