Two former fire chiefs accused of theft in Jennings County

(PARIS CROSSING, Ind.) – Two former fire chiefs in Jennings County are accused of stealing funds from the department. 

The Indiana State Police say 56-year-old Bradley Jacobs embezzled over $70,000 from the Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Department between 2021 and 2023. 

Investigators allege that the next fire chief, 29-year-old Brent McInteer, embezzled over $40,000 from the department between February 2023 and April 2024. 

The investigation revealed that Jacobs and McInteer accessed the department’s bank account and used the agency’s credit card to transfer money to their personal accounts and make personal purchases, police said. 

Jacobs was arrested on Friday and McInteer was arrested last week. Both have been charged with Theft, Official Misconduct and Corrupt Business Influence, ISP Sgt. Stephen Wheeles said.

The ISP says the investigation began in 2025 and investigators worked with the Indiana State Board of Accounts to investigate the alleged thefts.