According to Trooper Jerry Critchelow with the Kentucky State Police (Post 16 in Henderson), Caneyville music teacher Jeremy W. Stephens, 28, of Beaver Dam, was arrested on March 3 by the KSP and charged with theft by unlawful taking (over $300) and criminal trespassing in the 3rd degree (3 counts.)
Stephens' arrest was the result of a two-week investigation conducted by the KSP and Beaver Dam P0lice Department, Critchelow reported Wednesday morning (March 8).
Critchelow told the News-Gazette that Stephens was allegedly breaking into Ohio County High School, where he was allegedly stealing money from the school's drink machines.
Saying that Stephens somehow managed to acquire keys to an RC drink machine, Critchelow said that Stephens was “caught on at least three occasions at the high school.”
Critchelow said that by reviewing the school's video surveillance tapes, they were able to identity the alleged perpetrator of the drink machine thefts as a white male.
Also according to the KSP criminal investigation press release, Stephens reportedly “admitted to taking multiple items from the school, including a laptop computer, a digital camera, a dolly and a cooler.”
Critchelow said that all items allegedly stolen by Stephens have been recovered.
In addition to facing charges by the KSP, Critchelow said that the Beaver Dam Police Department is also charging Stephens with theft by unlawful taking (over $300) (2 counts).
And a third law enforcement agency, the Powderly Police Department (Muhlenberg County) has reportedly also charged Stephens with theft by unlawful taking for allegedly stealing money from an RC machine at a Rural King store in January.
“So there's no telling how long this has been going on, or how much money he's managed to get away with,” Critchelow said.
As is the case in all personnel matters, Grayson County School Superintendent Teddy White Wednesday refused to comment on Stephens.
Caneyville Principal Ronnie Sarver, also declining to comment on the personnel matter, said simply that Stephens “has resigned.” The school board accepted the resignation at its Thursday, Mar. 9 meeting.
The Grayson County School District reports that it does conduct background checks on all hires in the system.
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