Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

Former commissioner Edmonds arrested on felony theft charges

by Kenneth Lassiter

Only nine months after Don Edmonds was partially responsible for oversight of the county jail as a county commissioner, he found himself in jail last week as he faced two felony charges in county district court.

Edmonds was charged Sept. 28 with a level five felony count of the theft by deception of more than $100,000 from King’s Construction of Oskaloosa from Dec. 1, 2006, through March 31, 2008. He was also charged with a level seven felony count of attempted theft of $100,000 or more from King’s in March 2008. Edmonds formerly owned and operated McLouth Oil gas station in McLouth before selling it to Haag Oil of Topeka last year. He was terminated from employment by Haag in January after the company reported the theft of funds. The missing money was later accounted for and Edmonds wasn’t charged with any crimes against Haag Oil. Edmonds resigned his county commission seat with no explanation in January.

Edmonds turned himself in Sept. 29 and had his first appearance in district court Sept. 30 before Magistrate Judge Dennis Reiling. Reiling said both he and District Court Judge Gary Nafziger had recused themselves from hearing Edmonds’ proceedings because of their personal acquaintance with Edmonds. Reiling said District Court Judge Michael Ireland of Holton would be overseeing the remainder of Edmonds’ proceedings but was unable to be in the county for the first appearance hearing.

Reiling read the charges levelled against Edmonds by the state and asked Edmonds if he had any questions. Edmonds, who was clad in a bright orange prison jumpsuit and was shackled throughout the hearing, asked what the levels of felony meant and Reiling explained the scale from levels one through nine with one being the most severe. Edmonds said he had no lawyer so the court appointed John Kurth of Atchison to serve that duty.

Edmonds’ bond, which had been set at $25,000, was lowered to $5,000. A preliminary hearing for the matter was set for 1 p.m. Oct. 13.

Edmonds also asked about a possible change of venue for proceedings because of the publicity surrounding the case. Reiling said that would be something handled later and could be discussed by Edmonds with Kurth.

Edmonds bonded out of county jail later that day with the co-signature of his brother, Ron Edmonds, Oskaloosa.