GRAFTON, W.Va. — The former EMS director for Taylor County has pleaded guilty to a felony count of forgery.
The Taylor County Prosecutors Office announced that Gavin Watkins, 29, pleaded guilty to the charge before Taylor County Judge Shawn Nines on April 21 where he was ordered to pay restitution and serve at least 1-10 year in prison.
Leading up to the plea agreement, Watkins had received the felony charges of forgery, uttering and fraudulent use of a credit card after requesting $27,000 from the Taylor County Commission which he claimed would be used for adding new equipment to ambulances in the county.
According to officials, Watkins instead used the funds for operation expenses and purchasing new equipment while forging a receipt from the equipment company. Officials learned of the receipt’s forgery after the company contacted Taylor County requesting payment while Watkins was on medical leave.
As a part of the plea agreement, Watkins will be required to pay back approximately $6,600 which he used for a gasoline card and serve 1-10 years in jail. The state will recommend Watson to serve probation instead due to him having no previous criminal history.
Watkins’ sentencing will take place once a plea sentence report has been completed, a date for that court event has not been set at this time.