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Former Alabama Trooper, Atmore Police Investigator Arrested For Theft
February 17, 2012
A former Alabama State Trooper and Atmore Police Department investigator from Walnut Hill has been arrested on theft charges.
Jonathon Dees, 48, surrendered Thursday at the Baldwin County Jail on second degree theft of property charges for allegedly stealing gasoline. Dees provided a current address in the 7000 block of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, according to jail records.
Dees had been assigned to the Mobile office of the Department of Public Safety and was later hired as a police investigator by the City of Atmore. He resigned his position with the Atmore Police Department on Thursday.
Alabama AG Luther Strange’s office presented evidence to a Baldwin County grand jury on February 3, 2012, resulting in the indictment of Dees for:
- Second-degree theft of gasoline valued at more than $500, occurring and continuing between the approximate dates of July 2009 and January 2011;
- Intentional use of his official public position as an Alabama State Trooper for unlawful personal gain to himself or a family member, the gain being gasoline; and
- Intentional use of equipment facilities, time, materials, labor, or other public property under his discretion and control, being his State vehicle and gas, which had a material effect to his own private benefit.
The Alabama Attorney General did not release any further information about the investigation or about Dees’ alleged crimes.
In Alabama, second-degree theft is a class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $15,000. Use of official position for personal gain, a violation of the state ethics law, is a class B felony, with each count punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000.
Dees was released from jail on a $5,000 bond Thursday.
Comments
23 Responses to “Former Alabama Trooper, Atmore Police Investigator Arrested For Theft”
I wasn’t meaning the comments to be degrading for the officers. I know they have good officers there. The point I was trying to get across was the hiring standards. Small town police departments too often hire officesr who were fired from another department for doing bad things. This is a chance that you can take with nearly every other city job EXCEPT police officer. I see it time and time again. Hiring standards for many small police departments are lack-luster. I don’t think you should give a police officer a second chance after he has done something seriously wrong like this. It’s asking for problems. They took an oath and swore. They broke their promise. Your word is the only thing that you really have. It’s like the old saying “If the dog bites me once it’s his fault but if he bites me twice it’s my fault.” You can’t make that kind of mistake and expect it to be ok. I am sure that Atmore PD was extremely greatful to have someone come and work for them like Dees. Alabama Troopers are some of the most professional and highly trained law enforcement officers in our nation. But now, it has brought some embarassment to Atmore’s department. Police departments don’t need anymore embarassment. The media tries to unjustly embarass them enough by spinning truths in order to get viewers.(I’m not referring to this site.)
Danny r Nall. I totally agree with you!!!!
The Atmore PD may be small time but most definetly NOT! small change. I wish to thank them for help in dealing with a family imposter and keeping an eye on Oak Hill Cemetary. The theft of benchs, vases and such there, seems to have stopped. I see a cruiser and officer parked on the south side observing the cemetary, each time I visit. I worry less about elderly family members that visit Oak Hill regularly. Mr Dees is history, He got away with nothing but a terrible record, for life.
Bobby, being an Atmore police officer is NOT a “huge step down” from anywhere. ALL police officers, whether in blue, green, brown or gray, are all brothers. They do a thankless, tough, dangerous job with crappy hours for very little pay. I can understand the question of why to hire him, however, the information was given at that time was that the matter was taken care of and completely resolved. He was given a second chance, just as everyone should be given. When the officer learned that there was going to be further action taken, he immediately resigned and turned himself in. Unlike many law breakers, he didnt sit on his butt without working full time and he didnt deny what he did and run from the law. He is accepting the further consequences of his actions.
Why would a police department hire someone who admitted to stealing. An investigator at that.
I would like to start by saying that Jon Dees is a life long friend of mine and that this whole situation brings to mind another friend of mine who so many on this website were ready to destroy through character assassination. That friend,( Desmond Linam ), was later exonerated of all charges levied against him. I would like to remind people that an indictment is only an accusation not a conviction. I’m not sure of the protocol for posting on these websites as I’ve only posted on this one twice, both times because I felt inclined to do so in defense of my friends. I can tell you that there is nothing that makes me angrier than someone who has nothing better to do than surf these sites and pass judgement on others and then don’t have the intestinal fortitude to even put their full name on the comment!!!
He resigned just before being fired from the Troopers for stealing. It was all over the news when it happened nearly a year ago. Why in the world would another police department hire him. I know Atmore PD is a huge step down from an Alabama State Trooper but come on.
They are supposed to leave their cars running because if they get a call thats bad they need to b able to jump in their cars and go…if they turn them off you have the chance for them not to crank back up….they are doing what they are supposed to be doing by letting them run when they go into a place of business. I am a wife of a deputy and that was my question when we first got together
Wake up people! The batteries in the patrol cars will run down if they shut their engines off every time They stop for a few minutes. the battery has to support the computer system as well as the radios. So give the officers a break, the car must be able to start when a call comes in for them.
@f :
“MORE than $500 for those that are saying he only stole $500.” My bad … $501 dollars …
I maybe incorrect…but I think I have heard before, they are required to leave their vehicle running….if they get a call—-vehicle is cranked and ready to respond.
@JerryA
I don’t think just sayin was complaining that they were eating, but moreso because the cars were idling. Idling not only cost money because of the fuel it burns but also causes problems with air emissions unless it is a clean burning fuel.
On the other hand, if they had their dogs with them, they had to leave them idling for their protection.
“were three Escambia County Deputy vehichles in the parking lot running.”
ECSO policy is that the vehicles will turned off when parked but some of the vehicles are old and if you turn them off for more than a few minutes with all of the electronic equipment on the battery dies and you are stuck. You can’t just turn off the electronics since it takes several minutes for it to start back up, not to mention you are required to keep your GPS on for the entire shift so dispatch can see where you are. So a deputy with an old car is caught between two policies. Turn off equipment and turn off the car or leave the car running.
You know watching people is anyone’s right, as long as your not stalking them..
When you see BAD officers TURN them IN, MAKE the call. YOU pay THEIR wages and have just as much right to complain as they do to write the ticket if you are not law abiding.
Get rid of the bad apples if you want a better barrel, instead of the good ole boy garbage.
There really are GOOD officers out there, it was one of them who
told me to make calls. He said he doesn’t care WHO breaks the
law, CALL IT IN or don’t complain.
most people are only as honest as there job lets them be. if your the head guy making burgers at the local fastfood place and you can get away with eating a free burger,its gonna happen. now give a guy a badge and a gun with all the power in the world on the street and dishonest things are gonna happen!
@justsayin: Are the deputies that are on duty allowed to take a dinner break? Yes they certainly are. Some local establishments also provide deputies that are on duty with free meals, which I think is a very noble gesture.
I was at Denny;’s last saturday morning and there were three Escambia County Deputy vehichles in the parking lot running. I know the officers were there for over 30 min. Will they get arrested for use of public property for personal gain?
“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? ”
or maybe:
“Who will guard the guardians?”,
– David Huie Green
I think cases like this prove that no one is above the law, and no matter your position, someone is always watching. I’m sure that there are examples of people in authoritative positions who break the law and get by, but the same could be said about any street level common criminal. Stories like this boosts my trust in “the system” rather than decrease it, because it demonstrates that everyone is equal under the law and at least some in law enforcement are willing to arrest their own. On the other hand, stories about cover-ups and stuff being “swept under the rug” will decrease my faith in the system.
But, we ALL will face a higher Judge one day, and be sure that EVERYONE will reap what they have sown. If you don’t reap it here, you will reap it hereafter. I pray for Mr. Dees.
“valued at more than $500″
MORE than $500 for those that are saying he only stole $500.
I realise this is in a different state, but it demonstrates my point yesterday in the prison debacle – taxpayers would pay 38k per year to imprison this guy over 500 bucks worth of gasoline ?
What about the Atmore trooper that always used his patrol car for personal use take his kids to school and ball practice.Also while on duty would leave the patrol car running while he spent hours out coaching ball..We pay to patrol the highways not coach ball …
WHOA!!! … total of 50 years he COULD face in prison and up to 75K in fines for stealing $500 dollars in gas?!?.. if I understood what the author was trying to say correctly… He has it worse than the guy who stole sold feathers!..again very wrong thing to do within itself but does the punishment fit the crime?… I am not so sure … but that was a pretty dumb move on his part.
“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? ”
or maybe:
“Who will guard the guardians?”,