Ohio VFD chief sentenced for using over $200,000 in department funds for personal use

OHIO — Johnny Baker, 38, the chief of the Coalton Volunteer Fire Department, was sentenced last Wednesday in U.S. District Court to 12 months in prison for embezzling more than $200,000 in fire department funds.

Baker, a Wellston resident, admitted to using his position as the department’s financial manager to misappropriate funds raised through legal pull tab gambling.

The pull tab fundraiser, which involved local businesses selling the tabs and sending proceeds to Baker, was initially intended to support the fire department’s operations.

While some funds were used to purchase necessary supplies, Baker eventually began diverting money for personal expenses.

Authorities say Baker spent the stolen funds on cruises, resorts, sporting events, an ATV, firearms, and other personal luxuries.

Baker, who joined the fire department in 2009, served in various roles over the years, including secretary/treasurer and assistant fire chief, before becoming fire chief in January 2023.

He pleaded guilty in April to one count of mail fraud, admitting he had fire department items shipped to his home via UPS for personal use.

As part of his sentence, Baker has been ordered to pay approximately $226,000 in restitution.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Twombly and investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division.

The sentence was announced by Kenneth L. Parker, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge of the USPIS Pittsburgh Division.

U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr., handed down the sentence.