Charleston, WV (WOAY) – An officer with a Kanawha County volunteer fire department is facing charged for allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars over the course of several years.
According to a media release from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, 59-year-old Robert “Robbie” Evans of Boomer has been charged with one count of felony embezzlement from the Handley Volunteer Fire Department. Evans served the fire department as treasurer. He was arrested on Tuesday October 29, 2025, by members of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
According to investigators with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, $95,000 was withdrawn from multiple ATMs from the general account for the department beginning in January of 2023.
Deputies said Evans possessed an unauthorized debit card for the department.
Investigators noted the account had a beginning balance of $22,000 in January 2023 and only had $142.00 in June of this year.
Between 2022 and 2025, records indicate the Kanawha County Commission has issued checks to the department in excess of $120,000 to the Handley Volunteer Fire Department.
Investigators say the case remains open and additional charges are possible.
Evans’ bond was set at $100,000 or 10% cash. He is being held in the South-Central Regional Jail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 6.
