MILFORD – The husband and wife who were top officials in the Matamoras Fire Department are heading to prison.  Kevin and Theresa Degroat pled guilty to the crime of Theft from the Matamoras Fire Department. 

Pike County President Judge Joseph Kameen sentenced the pair to 60 days to 23.5 months of incarceration and an additional 5 years of supervision on probation.  The Court also ordered the pair to pay back $25,984.93 to the Fire Department.  The Court also imposed conditions on their probation and parole supervision that requires the Degroats to report certain financial transactions in access of $500.00 for the purpose of monitoring any finances the couple has that could be used toward restitution. 

During the time of the crime for which they were convicted, Kevin Degroat had served as President of the Fire Department and Theresa Degroat had served as Treasurer.  The Degroats had previously admitted to taking money from Bingo fundraising operations as well as making personal expenditures from Fire Department Accounts. 

First Assistant District Attorney Bruce DeSarro, who prosecuted the case, stated that “the actions of the Degroats represented a violation of the public’s trust and that the harm from such crimes to these types of volunteer organizations is immeasurable.”  DeSarro thanked the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department for their investigation that led to the convictions.

After the sentencing hearing, the Degroats were immediately taken to the Pike County Correctional Facility to begin serving their sentence.