CASSOPOLIS — Detective First Lieutenant Charles Christensen, with the Michigan State Police, said he could not reveal further details about a Cassopolis man’s alleged embezzlement from the Central Cass Volunteer Fire Department.

Christensen said Jesse Binns was arrested Tuesday. He was arraigned in Cass County District Court and charged with embezzlement from a nonprofit organization of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. The felony charge stems from Binns’ involvement with the Central Cass Fire Department, according to the Michigan State Police.

Jeff Locke, the chief for the Cass Central Fire Department, said he could not provide comments about the nature of Binns’ charge. 

“It is definitely a surprise to all of us up there,” Locke said.

Binns had served the Central Cass Fire Department for 10 years as assistant fire chief. As a volunteer fire department, Locke said Binns helped with a variety of tasks.

Locke said Binns was suspended from his volunteering role with the Central Cass Volunteer Fire Department in December last year. His role of assistant chief has been filled by Ritchie Brooks, who started the volunteering position on Jan. 25.

Binns was also a trooper with the Michigan State Police. He was stationed at the Niles post. In September 2018, Binns was suspended without pay.

Binns has served as a state trooper since 2012. Since 2007, he has been involved in working with emergency services. He was a 911 dispatcher for the Cass County Sheriff’s Office for five years. For several years, he also served as an EMT for Edwardsburg Ambulance.

In addition to his work with emergency services, Binns was well-known for his involvement in the community, including the Cassopolis Public Schools Board of Education.

School board member Scott Ward, said Binns had served as the trustee to the school board. He was elected to the position.

At this time, Ward said he is not sure what Binns’ status with the school board is. He did say that if Binns resigns, the board could search for someone to replace him.

Ward said the board has “no comment” in regards to Binns’ charge.

“It has nothing to do with board matters,” Ward said.

The Cass County Prosecutor’s Office requested that the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office handle the case. Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Scott Brower said this was to prohibit any potential conflict of interest that could come from the fact that local state police and local prosecutor’s offices often work together.

Binns will next appear in court for a pre-exam conference at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Cass County District Court. A pre-exam will follow at 1:30 p.m. March 6 in Cass County District Court.

This is a developing story. It will be updated as information about this case becomes available.