CLEARFIELD – A local woman is facing charges for allegedly using the Winburne Fire Company’s credit card to make over $52,300 worth of purchases.
Sarah Yvonne Dunlap, 37, of Winburne is charged by Trooper Scott Sankey of the Clearfield-based state police with three counts each of felony theft by deception and access device fraud.
Dunlap waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. Her bail is set at $5,000 unsecured.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Dunlap was appointed treasurer of the fire company in December of 2015, and was provided a credit card that was strictly for its financial operations.
State police said in August of 2018, another member of the fire company discovered a large transaction at Kalahari Resort near the Poconos.
Subsequent investigation discovered that Dunlap first began using the company’s credit card for her own personal transactions in January of 2016.
She allegedly made over 20 transactions and withdrawals totaling $2,952.38 in 2016; over 200 transactions for online and in-store shopping, trips, food, etc., totaling $22,311.60 in 2017; and over 300 transactions totaling $27,135.60 through August of 2018.
In total, Dunlap made $52,399.72 worth of purchases on the company credit card, state police said.
During periods when its general account was low, she transferred funds from the Winburne Volunteer Relief Association Account, according to the affidavit.
State police said in August of 2018, Dunlap apologized for her actions at a meeting of fire company members. In an interview with troopers, she also reportedly admitted to making the transactions.
