Jackson County volunteer fire chief sentenced to year in prison for mail fraud

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The chief of the Coalton volunteer fire department was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 12 months in prison for using more than $200,000 in fire department funds for personal expenses.

Johnny Baker, 38, of Wellston, Ohio, used his position as manager of the fire department's finances to build up cash via pull tab sales. Baker raised funds from the local community through the legal form of gambling, which he initially implemented as a fundraiser. Several local businesses sold pull tabs to the community and sent the proceeds to Baker. Initially, Baker used proceeds to buy needed supplies for the department, but eventually supplemented his own income and spent money on cruises, resorts, sporting events, an ATV, firearms and more.

Baker began working for the volunteer fire department in 2009, filling various roles over the years including secretary/treasurer, assistant fire chief, and as of January 2023, fire chief.

He pleaded guilty in April to one count of mail fraud for the embezzlement, which included using fire department money to have items for his personal use shipped to his house via UPS. As part of his sentence, Baker will pay approximately $226,000 in restitution.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Twombly is representing the United States in this case.

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