Skip to main content
Press Release

Retired Wichita Police Lt. Sentenced For Embezzlement, Mail Fraud

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Kansas

WICHITA, KAN. - A retired Wichita police lieutenant Wednesday was sentenced to two years on probation for filing false documents so he would be paid for providing armed engagement training for law enforcement officers, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said. He also was ordered to pay $56,400 in restitution.

Kevin P. Vaughn, 52, Wichita, Kan., who retired in March 2015 after 28 years with the Wichita Police Department, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of public funds and one count of mail fraud.

In his plea, Vaughn admitted he falsified reports to make it appear his company, Red Mist Tactical, had completed all of 15 eight-hour classes as the company’s contract required. 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.

Vaughn admitted he:

  • 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 in the contract for the training to be completed. He forged officers’ signatures on sign-up sheets.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  •  

Beall commended the FBI, the Wichita Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.

 

Updated November 16, 2016

Topic
Public Corruption
Component