Employee in jail for allegedly stealing nearly $30,000 from Washington City freight company

2021 file photo for illustrative purposes only of a Washington City Police Officer on in Washington City, Utah, Dec. 11, 2021 | Photo courtesy of the Washington City Police Department, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — An employee accused of embezzling nearly $30,000 from a freight company in Washington City was arrested on communications fraud and forgery charges after investigators found a series of suspicious transactions that reportedly took place over the course of several months.

2017 file photo for illustrative purposes only of intersection of Telegraph and Green Springs in Washington City, Utah, Aug. 10, 2017 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

The investigation was opened after officers in Washington City were dispatched to follow up on a report of a possible embezzlement scheme involving a series of fraudulent returns, according to charging documents filed with 5th District Court.

The loss prevention manager of a freight company met with investigators Tuesday shortly after 2 p.m. and told officers he received information from the company’s asset protection system outlining 20 suspicious transactions totaling more than $29,600, information that led the company to believe that an employee, Kelson Kory Talbot, 24, was involved in the theft of company assets, including funds, merchandise and other property.

The transactions were completed between May 18 and July 21, the report states.

Investigators also collected video footage, register receipts, exception reports and other evidence that substantiated the company’s assertions about the thefts.

Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams told St. George News the suspect reportedly was stealing merchandise from the freight company and then returning it to the store for cash.

During an interview with police, Talbot “willfully admitted” his wrongdoings, noted the officer, adding the suspect was remorseful and said he had been stealing from the company for the last three months.

The suspect said he was having financial hardships, as well as other difficulties in his life as of late, police say.

Talbot also said he has no criminal history prior to his arrest Wednesday, and said he “just fell on hard times and a bunch of poor decisions.”

The suspect was arrested and transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility facing one count each of second-degree felony communications fraud and a third-degree felony forgery.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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