Photo courtesy of Iowa Department of Public Safety

On Tuesday, December 13, Keokuk County Emergency Management Coordinator, Larry Smith, was arrested for theft in the second degree, a class D felony. The following day, Smith submitted his letter of resignation from the position.

The arrest stems from a 2021 audit, which found that Smith traded in the Emergency Management Agency’s 2006 Ford F-350 for $800. He then purchased the vehicle back from the dealership at the same price for his personal use and ownership. The vehicle was estimated to be valued between $6,600 and $14,400. Because the trade-in amount on the diesel truck was less than its value, the EMA incurred the additional costs.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa State Patrol, and Washington County Attorney’s Office continue to investigate the situation. The Keokuk County Board of Supervisors plan to acknowledge Smith’s resignation at their meeting on Monday.