Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – A sentencing date has been scheduled for a former Carbon County Deputy Sheriff who admitted during a hearing in federal court Wednesday that he used a county credit card to purchase items for his personal use.
Jason Thomas Llewelyn, age 46, of Helper, who pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of a felony, will be sentenced Sept. 18, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. by U.S. District Judge David Nuffer. Llewelyn was working as the Carbon County Emergency Services Director at the time of the criminal conduct. He had a county credit card to make purchases for various agencies within Carbon County.
In July of 2015, law enforcement officers discovered that Llewelyn had used his county credit card to purchase several parts for boat repairs. Following an initial investigation, a search warrant was executed at his houseboat where officers located items.
The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI participated in the investigation of the case.
As a part of a plea agreement reached with federal prosecutors, Llewelyn admitted he took an affirmative step to conceal the crime by making it appear the purchases were for the county when he knew the purchases were for his own personal use. He also admitted knowing Carbon County did not authorize the purchases.
The plea agreement includes an agreement that Llewelyn will pay $64,723.03 in restitution to Carbon County.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Llewelyn with theft concerning programs receiving federal funds in November 2015. The indictment alleged Llewelyn used county funds to purchase hundreds of items for his houseboat and other personal interests. He pleaded guilty to a Felony Information filed Wednesday as a part of his change of plea hearing.
The potential maximum penalty for the misprision of a felony conviction is up to three years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. As a part of the plea agreement, federal prosecutors will recommend Llewelyn be sentenced at the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range as determined by the court and that he receive credit for acceptance of responsibility. The sentencing guideline range will be determined as a part of the sentencing hearing in September.