Fire Chief Arrested After Stealing From Volunteer Fire Department

SWEETWATER, TX –  A 31-year veteran employee of the City of Sweetwater has been fired after authorities discovered he embezzled money from a volunteer fire department.

According to authorities, Gary Lee Armstrong was employed as a system operations manager at a local water plant. In addition to his job with the city, Armstrong also served as a fire chief with the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department.

In 2018, the Texas Rangers began investigating Armstrong and discovered he stole thousands of dollars.

"Mr. Armstrong resigned after we began an investigation and notified law enforcement into missing funds at the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department back in 2018," said Nolan County District Attorney Richard Thompson.

Armstrong was arrested on Match 29th and charged with theft of property by a public servant between $30,000 and $150,000.