Saying that the Michigan State Police force has a long-standing tradition of “demanding the highest possible standards of professional conduct from its enforcement and civilian members,” Detective 1st Lt Charles Christensen says today that a Niles State Police Trooper has been suspended following arraignment in Cass County District Court today on a felony charge of embezzlement.
Trooper Jesse Binns, assigned to the Niles State Police Post, was arraigned today, Tuesday, February 19th, on a felony charge of embezzlement of $1,000 or more, but less than $20,000 from a non-profit or charitable organization, in this case a Cass County Fire Department. The charge was authorized by a special prosecutor assigned out of Kalamazoo County.
Detective Christensen is from the Michigan State Police Special Investigation Section, and says that the criminal charge results from Binns’ employment as the assistant chief at Cass Central Fire Department; however, the state police had suspended him without pay six months ago in September 2018.
Christensen says Binns will remain on suspension pending the outcome of the criminal matter.
