Former Payne Springs firefighter, treasurer arrested in department theft investigation

PAYNE SPRINGS, Texas — A former Payne Springs Fire-Rescue firefighter, who served as the department's treasurer, was arrested yesterday on theft charges.

PAYNE SPRINGS, Texas — A former Payne Springs Fire-Rescue firefighter, who served as the department's treasurer, was arrested yesterday on theft charges.

35-year-old Jason Edward Thorne of Eustace, Texas, was arrested and charged with theft greater than or equal to $2,500 and less than $30,000, according to county jail records.

Earlier this month, the department's chief, Randy Harley, was arrested in a separate case on charges for bribery and tampering with a government record with intent to defraud or harm.

The case against Thorne began on July 6, 2018, when a member of the Payne Spring Fire-Rescue executive board noticed "unusual and unapproved" spending on the June 2018 bank statement, according to a press release from the department.

During a regularly scheduled meeting of the board on July 9, 2018, Thorne was asked to produce the requested receipts. He did not produce the receipts and resigned his position on the board and department.

"The PSFR Executive Board immediately started an internal investigation into these purchases," stated the department. "It became quickly apparent that the Board was dealing with a potential criminal investigation and the Henderson County Fire Marshal was immediately notified."

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Thorne made purchases on six occasions at the Gun Barrel City Walmart and later obtained refunds or cash back on the purchases — against departmental purchasing policy.

Thorne, in an interview with investigators on July 26, admitted to getting cash back and spending it on personal use and changing the department's debit card into his name — making withdrawals in between November 2017 through July 2018.