Skip to main content
Press Release

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Captain Indicted for Stealing $200,000

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Oregon
Case involves funds which were supposed to be used for law enforcement operations

EUGENE, Ore – A federal grand jury sitting in Eugene, Oregon has indicted a captain employed by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.  Scott Raymond Beard, 45, of Bend, Oregon, was charged with various offenses related to allegations that he used his position to embezzle and steal more than $200,000 in taxpayer funds.  The indictment further alleges that Beard laundered some of the ill-gotten gains by conducting financial transactions to pay expenses on behalf of his co-defendant, Krista Jean Mudrick, 35, of Bend, Oregon.  Mudrick is a former employee of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and is charged with making false statements to the FBI and IRS about Beard’s expenditures of the ill-gotten gains.

Beard was arrested by FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigations today in Bend and is scheduled to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Coffin in Eugene on Monday, February 22, 2016.  Additionally, Mudrick has been issued a summons requiring her presence at an arraignment on Monday, February 22 in Eugene at 1:30.

Beard is charged with two counts of theft of funds from a federally funded program, which if convicted, carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison; two counts of money laundering, which if convicted, carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison; and, one count of passport fraud, which if convicted, carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Mudrick is charged with one count of false statement to federal law enforcement agents, which if convicted, carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

“Most men and women in law enforcement dedicate their lives to public service and strive every day to always do the right thing as public servants,” said U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.  “When an investigation shows that a member of law enforcement is violating the public trust by stealing the people's money, we will vigorously prosecute and seek justice for such conduct.  Public trust in law enforcement is earned, and must be protected through accountability.” 

“The public rightly expects that their law enforcement officers live and work by a strong set of core values – honesty, integrity and respect,” said Greg Bretzing, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.  “The FBI will always aggressively pursue allegations of public corruption to ensure we maintain the public’s trust in law enforcement.”

“Throughout my career in federal law enforcement, I have gained a great deal of admiration for those that carry the badge and serve our communities and our nation, the vast majority of whom do so with fierce dedication, honor, and respect for the law.  We take it personally when one of our own is alleged to have not lived up to the oath they made to uphold the law and the virtue of our profession,” stated Special Agent in Charge Teri Alexander of IRS Criminal Investigation.

An indictment is only an allegation of criminal activity.  Defendants Beard and Mudrick are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  A link to the indictment here.

This case was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Cardani is prosecuting the case.

Updated March 28, 2016

Topic
Financial Fraud
Component