03/20/2026
PROSECUTOR LYNSEY N. FLEETWOOD FILES THREE FELONY COUNTS CONCERNING OVER $160,000 STOLEN FROM JACKSON COUNTY WATER UTILITY
Today, Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Lynsey N. Fleetwood filed three Level 5 Felony Counts of Theft against Stephanie K. Austin, following an investigation conducted by Detective Jac Sanders of the Brownstown Police Department, concerning allegations of stolen cash deposits from the Jackson County Water Utility.
According to the Probable Cause Affidavit and filed charging information, the investigation began after discrepancies were identified during an audit of financial records. As part of the investigation, law enforcement reviewed financial documentation, audit findings, employee statements, and security footage.
The charges allege that between February 6, 2024 and February 25, 2026, Defendant Austin stole cash belonging to the Jackson County Water Company, totaling approximately $160,142.78.
The allegations are divided into three counts based on the following time periods:
Count I: February 6, 2024 through January 31, 2025
Alleged amount stolen: $53,685.33
Count II: February 1, 2025 through September 2, 2025
Alleged amount stolen: $50,933.54
Count III: September 3, 2025 through February 25, 2026
Alleged amount stolen: $55,523.91
According to the investigation, customer accounts were not impacted, as payments made to the utility were properly posted to their accounts.
These charges are formal allegations only. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.