The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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March 8, 2010

Former deputy charged with stealing OHVFD funds

By Amelia A. Pridemore Register-Herald Reporter

A now-former Fayette County sheriff’s deputy and Oak Hill Volunteer Fire Department president was arrested Monday, accused of stealing about $375,000 in fire funds, State Police said.

Jack Micah Feltner, 40, of 214 Duncan Ave., Oak Hill, is charged with two counts of fraudulent schemes, said First Sgt. J.L. Cahill of the State Police Lewisburg detachment. Feltner was arrested Monday and arraigned before Fayette County Magistrate Sharon McGraw. He has been released on $50,000 bond.

Cahill said Feltner was president of the Oak Hill Volunteer Fire Department Corp. from January 2002 through the end of 2009. Feltner is accused of taking an estimated $375,000 from both the city of Oak Hill’s general fund (for calls answered in city limits) and the Oak Hill Fire Department Fire Levy Fund (for calls answered outside the city). This allegedly occurred over a six-year period, 2003 to 2009.

Cahill said Feltner allegedly did this by overbilling the funds and pocketing the extra cash.

Fayette County Sheriff Steve Kessler said Feltner resigned from the department Monday. Feltner was a sergeant and a 13-year veteran of the department.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com

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