Ky. Officer Pleads Guilty to Fuel Theft

A Frankfort (Ky.) Police Department officer has pleaded guilty to criminal charges of stealing about $27,000 in gasoline from the city over six years to fuel lawn equipment and his personal vehicle, the State-Journal reported.

In early July 2019, the Frankfort PD learned of unusual activity on Tucker’s city-issued fuel card, according to a release from Frankfort PD. Following an internal investigation, the PD determined that Tucker was using it inappropriately. He began serving an unpaid suspension on July 17 and resigned on August 9. Theft of more than $10,000 is a class C felony.

As part of Rick Tucker’s plea agreement, he could face up to five years in prison, has resigned from the police department, and will repay the full value of the gasoline from his retirement account, the newspaper reported. He has a sentencing hearing on Oct. 31.