IRON COUNTY, Mo. — The Iron County Sheriff’s Office received a “poor” rating from the Missouri State Auditor after discovering missing money and weapons and questionable credit card purchases, according to a 29-page report.
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick identified at least $5,680 missing and a “disorganized” seized property room that had a “mysterious” samurai sword, which Fitzpatrick said was not accounted for.
In the audit, Fitzpatrick noted that while former Iron County Sheriff Jeffery Burkett had already resigned and been prosecuted for unrelated conduct, the auditor’s report uncovers new details about Burkett’s “mismanagement” of the office.
The $5,680 in money missing came from cash bonds that were not deposited, and the auditor additionally reviewed six bond forms that indicated the collected cash was not deposited into any Sheriff bank account or disbursed to a court.
The bond and revovling fund accounts at the sheriff’s office were found overdrawn with balances as low as negative $701 and negative $14,448 with overdrawn fees of $238, Fitzpatrick revealed. The report also found nine “improper” purchases on the office credit cards totaling $4,954, including “improper” withdrawals from the donations account totaling $308.
Fitzpatrick also said from January 1, 2021, through March 31, 2023, he found 80 purchases totaling $18,634 that did not have receipt slips submitted to the county.
According to the audit, the office allegedly did not maintain a “complete” seized property inventory where items were improperly secured.
Fitzpatrick said items noted on the office’s evidence listing record could not be located in the property inventory, such as a 9 mm handgun and live rounds. 22-magnum revolver, and two pipes with one gram of marijuana.
The audit also said three items found in the seized property room were not noted on the evidence listing, including a large rock, a samurai sword, and a rifle.
NOTE: Video above is from January 31, 2024.