MADISON COUNTY, Ill. – A firefighter is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from ticket sales for the St. Louis Guns ‘N Hoses charity event.

The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Jacob A. Sanders, 27, with one felony count of theft in the investigation.

Sanders allegedly stole around $4,185 from ticket sales for the 2024 Guns ‘N Hoses fundraiser. According to a news release from the state’s attorney’s office, he was provided with advance tickets to sell for the event, but he did not turn in the proceeds from the sales.

Guns N’ Hoses is an annual boxing fundraiser in St. Louis that benefits The Backstoppers, an organization that supports families of first responders who died in the line of duty.

“Allegations of theft from charitable organizations are always disappointing,” said Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine via a news release. “Contributions to this organization are made in good faith by members of our community to support a noble cause – aiding the families and children of first-responders who have made ultimate sacrifices.”

The news release identified Sanders as a paid on-call firefighter and a resident of Roxana, Illinois.