New documents: FBI looking into Christian County sheriff's financial dealings

This story was first published on March 12, 2015.

The FBI is looking into the Christian County Sheriff's Office's financial dealings.

Federal investigators have requested county records involving several companies that do business with the sheriff's office, along with Christian County audit reports and campaign finance information for Sheriff Joey Kyle.

Records reveal a criminal investigation was being conducted by a federal grand jury as of Feb. 24.

Subpoena documents obtained by the News-Leader show that FBI investigators requested spending records between the sheriff's office and several local business, including EDI Plus, APT, Ozark Body Works, Ozark Tire, Richard Crites and Fiocchi. The records contained no addresses or other description of the businesses.

Contacted Wednesday, a representative from Ozark Body Works in Ozark said he was unaware of the investigation but did confirm that his company services Christian County vehicles.

Crites, an attorney in Springfield, said he was unaware of any investigation but he has represented Kyle "off and on for about 20 years."

A representative from EDI Plus gun store in Nixa declined to comment when reached by a News-Leader reporter.

Representatives from APT firearm and general weapons training in Galena, Ozark Tire and Auto Center, in Ozark, and Fiocchi of America — an ammunition manufacturer in Ozark — could not be reached for comment.

News-Leader reporters unsuccessfully attempted to reach Kyle throughout the day on Wednesday. He issued a written statement Wednesday afternoon saying he would not comment on the investigation out of appreciation for the "sanctity of the process."

"I understand the inquiries of the media," Kyle said. "But, appreciating the sanctity of the process does not permit me to comment any further at this time regarding the situation. I know that those of you in the media have the same respect for the process as I do. Know that all of us here at the Christian County Sheriff's Office have the best interests of the citizens at heart and are endeavoring to carry out those duties entrusted to us by the people."

An FBI spokeswoman would not confirm or deny an investigation into the Christian County Sheriff's Office. There is no indication that anyone has been charged. The News-Leader confirmed the investigation through FBI subpoena paperwork served on the Christian County clerk.

Christian County Presiding Commissioner Ray Weter confirmed Wednesday that he has been interviewed about the sheriff's office by federal officials.

Weter said FBI agents and other federal officials asked him last month "wide-ranging questions about operations in the sheriff's department."

Weter said Kyle let commissioners know about the inquiry, but Weter remains unsure what prompted it or what specifically is being sought.

Weter said he made a phone call to the Missouri State Highway Patrol more than a year ago after several people made complaints to him about the sheriff's department.

"I was searching for a way to resolve this, and I thought it would be best to kick it upstairs, so to speak," he said. "I have not heard anything the past year, year and a half, frankly. I had assumed that nothing was going to happen. I had done what I needed to do and it had probably been debunked and shelved."

He said that may still be the case. He's not sure his call is what led to the FBI's involvement.

He also said people should consider the possibility that complaints came from those with a political agenda or "professional jealousy."

"You ought to weigh it against somebody's character and reputation," Weter said. "We want to make sure it's not a professional turf fight. Those things happen. I'm cognizant of that and don't want to see a man's character assassinated by those factors."

Weter said he believes the sheriff is "credible."

"There's always tension with the commission," he said. "He's a department head and we discuss expenditures, details about the sheriff's operation. We ask questions."

Dale Reynolds ran for sheriff against Kyle in 2012. Reynolds said he raised several questions at time about titles for county-owned vehicles and firearm training for deputies, but he was unable to get satisfactory answers from county officials.

"I never could get them to give me a straight answer on anything at the courthouse," Reynolds said. "There is probably a whole lot of stuff that needs to be looked into."

Kyle spent 18 years as a Springfield police officer. He was a member of a special operations team trained in rescuing hostages, executing search warrants and using weapons beyond standard issue police firearms.

Kyle also served in the U.S. Navy and is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. Kyle's law enforcement career began in Scott County. He served as a Christian County deputy and a Republic police officer before being elected sheriff in 2008 and re-elected in 2012.

The Missouri Deputy Sheriffs Association named Kyle "Sheriff of the Year" in 2011.

Kyle is a father of three. His wife of more than 30 years, Andrea, died Oct. 6, 2014.

News-Leader Reporter Rance Burger contributed to this story.