The arrest of former Atmore Police Department investigator Jonathan Dees, 49, was announced Friday by Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. Dees faces allegations he used his position as an Alabama State Trooper in order to illegally obtain gasoline. Dees, who was hired by APD in May of 2011 following Chuck Brooks departure, resigned from his position Thursday according to APD Chief Jason Dean.

“He resigned his position early yesterday morning,” Dean said on Friday.

Dean added the APD were aware of the charges against Dees, but did not know the investigation was ongoing.

“We know of the allegations against him,” Dean said. “But we were under the impression he had resigned his position and paid restitution to the state.”

Dees is yet another trooper investigated for felony theft and ethics charges. HE surrendered Friday at the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.  His arrest comes the day after another former state trooper, and a former custodian, both formerly of the Tuscaloosa State Trooper Post, also were arrested on felony theft and ethics charges. Dees had been assigned to the Mobile office of the Department of Public Safety.

Strange’s office presented evidence to a Baldwin County grand jury on February 3, 2012, resulting in the indictment of Dees.  Specifically, the indictment charges Dees with:

Second-degree theft of gasoline valued at more than $500, occurring and continuing between the approximate dates of July 2009 and January 2011;

· Intentional use of his official public position as an Alabama State Trooper for unlawful personal gain to himself or a family member, the gain being gasoline; and

·  Intentional use of equipment facilities, time, materials, labor, or other public property under his discretion and control, being his State vehicle and gas, which had a material effect to his own private benefit.

No further information about the investigation or about the Dees’ alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
Second-degree theft is a class C felony, punishable by one year and a day, to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000. Use of official position for personal gain, a violation of the state ethics law, is a class B felony, with each count punishable by two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $30,000.
Strange commended those involved in the cases, noting the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, Deputy Attorney General Mike Duffy and Assistant Attorney General Pete Smyczek of the Attorney General’s Public Corruption and White Collar Crime Division.