Eight first responders in Clay County have been indicted on theft and conspiracy charges following an investigation by the District Attorney’s Office.
According to DA Bryan C. Dunaway, the thefts were carried out over a three-year period by several members of both the Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and the Clay County Rescue Squad.
The indictments were handed down Monday by the Clay County Grand Jury.
Three of the suspects, identified as Christy Spears, Heather Key, and Jamie Key, were from the Clay County Rescue Squad.
Each was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit theft over $10,000. Stafford, Spears, and Heather Key were also charged with theft over $1,000, while Jamie Key was charged with theft under $500.
Four others, Tabitha Stafford, Carrie Stafford and Shaun Stafford, and Bryon Beck, were from the Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.
Laurence Stafford, who is married to Tabitha Stafford, was also indicted. He was the Captain of the Rescue Squad and Chief of the Pea Ridge Fire Department, and was said to be the alleged ringleader of the crimes. Neither of them have been arrested; they were on the run out of state.
All of the suspects are related either through marriage or family. They were all charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft over $10,000. In that case, Laurence Stafford and Tabitha Stafford were also charged with theft over $10,000.
Shaun Stafford, Carrie Stafford and Beck faced an additional charge of theft under $500.
Dunaway said no other county organizations or departments were involved in the alleged scheme.
