Five Charged In Parks Investigation

Galveston County Sheriff’s detectives charged five individuals in connection with their detailed and still on-going investigation into allegations of theft from Galveston County Parks Department facilities in Santa Fe.

In early November, 2011, investigators started a probe after receiving information of suspected diesel theft by County Parks Department employees.  Through their investigation, deputies determined over 6,000 gallons of diesel was apparently stolen from the County Parks Service Center located in the 5100 block of Avenue H in Santa Fe between September and November, 2011.

Earlier this month, investigators presented their case to a Galveston County grand jury, which handed down indictments against Jacob Kyle Rice, 34, and John Herbert Wilson, 31, both of Santa Fe, and Bruce Dale Keithley, 52, of Hitchcock.  All were taken into custody this morning.

Rice, Keithley, and Randy Jaytodd Fisher, 23, of Santa Fe, all Parks Department employees, were charged in connection with the theft of the diesel.  Wilson, who is not associated with Galveston County, was charged in connection with receiving the stolen fuel.

Charges of Theft by a Public Servant, a state jail felony, were leveled against Rice, Keithley, and Wilson.  Each were released from the Galveston County Jail today after all posted surety bonds of $2,000.  Fisher’s charges include Class A misdemeanor Theft, and he is expected to surrender to authorities tomorrow morning.

James Raymond Dahl, 49, of Santa Fe and a County Parks Department employee, was also arrested today in connection with this investigation.  He was indicted for felony Criminal Mischief, related to his alleged involvement in destroying some County –owned property found during the theft probe.  He was also released from the Galveston County Jail on a $2,000 surety bond.  

Sheriff’s detectives, along with personnel of the County Auditor’s Department are examining other related records and activities in their continuing investigation.