Poplar Bluff man to stand trial for stealing from production company

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Butler County judge ordered a Poplar Bluff man to stand trial for stealing more than $15,000 from The Stage Company over the last two years.

Accompanied by his attorney, Carl Miller, Ronald Gilliland appeared Thursday afternoon in a Butler County courtroom for a preliminary hearing in his case before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth.

The 62-year-old resident of the 500 block of North Main Street is charged with felony stealing.

After Bloodworth questioned Gilliland and told him of his rights to have a preliminary hearing, Gilliland answered "yes" when asked whether he believed it was in his best interest to waive having a hearing in his case.

Bloodworth accepted Gilliland's waiver and ordered him to appear at 9 a.m. April 26 before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for arraignment on the charge.

The charge stems from an investigation by the Poplar Bluff Police Department, which began Feb. 14 when David Carroll, president of the group's board of directors, reported approximately $15,500 in unauthorized transactions had been made on The Stage Company's bank account. The Stage Company produces shows at the Rodgers Theatre in Poplar Bluff.

Gilliland, who had been appointed treasurer in August 2009, reportedly admitted to taking the money from The Stage Company's funds for personal use.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, MO