Indictment: Retired Wichita Police Lt. Lied About Training He Was Paid to Provide

WICHITA, KAN. - A retired Wichita police lieutenant who was paid $56,400 to provide armed engagement training for law enforcement officers was indicted Tuesday on charges of embezzling federal grant funds.

Kevin P. Vaughn, 51, Wichita, Kan., who retired in March 2015 after 28 years with the Wichita Police Department, is charged with one count of embezzling U.S. Department of Homeland Security funds, one count of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.

The indictment alleges Vaughn falsified reports to make it appear his company, Red Mist Tactical, had completed all of 15 eight-hour classes the company agreed to provide. The money for the training came from a grant by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA) to the Kansas Highway Patrol and the North Central Regional Planning Commission.

The indictment alleges Vaughn:

• Falsely reported conducting training in McPherson, Kan., on May 27 and May 28, 2015. In fact, the training sessions took place on June 3 and 4, 2015, after the deadline for the training to be completed. In addition, the training sessions were four hours long, not the eight hours Vaughn’s company had agreed to provide. Vaughn submitted falsified sign-up sheets with forged officers’ signatures.

• Falsely reported conducting eight hours of training on May 22, 2015, during the Wichita Police Department Ladies Range Day. In fact, the training lasted four hours and it was not approved by the police department.

• Falsely reported offering training in Sumner County on April 27 and May 1, 2015. In fact, there was no training on those days. Vaughn submitted fabricated sign-up sheets for those dates.

• Falsely reported offering training in Sumner County on April 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, 2015. In fact, there was no training on those days. He submitted fabricated sign-up sheets for those dates.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Count 1 (embezzlement): A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count 2 and 6 (mail fraud): A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Counts 3, 4 and 5 (wire fraud): A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

Count 7 (Money laundering): A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

The FBI and the Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.