Stoddard Co. Sheriff's Dept. employee jailed for stealing

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Stoddard County Sheriff's Department employee is in custody at what has been his place of employment for the past 22 years after a discrepancy was discovered this week in a business account he managed.

The office manager at the Sheriff's Office, Johnny Michael Robey, 58, of Bloomfield was jailed after being charged with felony stealing.

Sheriff Carl Hefner on Wednesday said he noticed Robey acting "out of character" in recent days. The department is in the midst of a routine state audit, conducted every four years.

Hefner said when asked, Robey readily admitted that he had stolen from a department fund. Auditors had not uncovered any discrepancies at the time Hefner questioned Robey.

"I immediately contacted the [Missouri State] Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control so that they could launch an investigation of their own into the matter," Hefner said. "At this time, we believe there is only the one account that has been compromised."

The amount of money missing isn't being disclosed since the case remains under active investigation. The Class C felony stealing charge involves the theft of more than $500 and less than $25,000.

"We won't have a definitive number until the investigation is complete," Hefner said.

Robey has been a well-respected and trusted employee of the department throughout his career with the department, Hefner said.

Robey remained incarcerated in the Stoddard County Jail on Thursday under a $20,000 cash only bond.

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield, MO