Former Baroda-Lake Township Police Department Police Chief Shawn Martin has charged with embezzlement, several months after being placed on administrative leave.
The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells us Martin was charged with six counts on Monday as a result of a Michigan State Police investigation into his conduct. State police are not commenting.
The charges include three counts of embezzlement by a public official, a 10-year felony; two counts of embezzlement by an agent or trustee of between $1,000 and $20,000, a five-year felony; and one count of embezzlement between $50,000 and $100,000, a 15-year felony.
As of Tuesday, Martin had not yet been arrested or arraigned, and prosecutors say he can either turn himself in or he’ll be picked up on a warrant. The charging documents list Martin’s current address as being in Nevada.
Baroda-Lake Township placed Martin on leave in February as the state police investigation began. Wes Koza has been serving as interim police chief ever since.