FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
November 1, 2012
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Jeff Sommer (334) 353-2199
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES FELONY ETHICS CONVICTION OF EX-TROOPER
FOR BUYING GAS FOR PERSONAL USE WITH STATE CREDIT CARD
(MONTGOMERY) -Attorney General Luther Strange announced the felony ethics
conviction today of a former state trooper for using a state credit card to buy gasoline
for his personal use. Jonathan Dees, 48, of Spanish Fort, had been stationed at the
Mobile office of the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
Dees pleaded guilty this morning in Baldwin County Circuit Court. He was
sentenced to 60 months, which was suspended, and ordered to serve a term of six
months of supervised probation, to pay court costs, and a fine of $100 to the Alabama
Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
Court documents include records of the State’s evidence against Dees, including
the defendant’s confession; video evidence of Dees purchasing the gasoline; and
documentation that, on his days off, he used his trooper vehicle and bought gas for his
personal use with the state credit card. Prior to pleading guilty, Dees repaid $2,204.09
for purchases between the approximate dates of July 2009 and January 2011.
“This case is a sad example of someone who has betrayed not only the trust of
taxpayers and the law that he was sworn to uphold, but also his fellow law enforcement
officers who have earned our trust and respect,” said Attorney General Strange. “Our
message to all is that public corruption must be fought so that Alabama citizens may
have confidence on those who serve the public.”
The Attorney General commended Assistant Attorney General Pete Smyczek and
Deputy Attorney General Mike Duffy of the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions
Division, and thanked the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, for their successful
handling of this case.
The Attorney General’s Office presented evidence to grand juries in February
and March of 2012, resulting also in indictments against two other former state
troopers, against whom charges are still pending. Terry Stallworth, also formerly of the
Mobile office of the Department of Public Safety, is scheduled for trial on January 7, 2103.
A trial date has not been set in the case of Kenneth Grisset, who had been
stationed at the Tuscaloosa State Trooper Post.* (Note: An indictment is merely an accusation.
Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.)
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
