Former Amherst firefighter pleads guilty to embezzlement

A former Amherst County firefighter pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to embezzling money from the Monelison Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

John Wayne Eggleston Jr., of Madison Heights, was indicted on two counts of embezzlement. He was scheduled for a trial Wednesday morning but pleaded guilty to one charge in exchange for the dismissal of the second.

Amherst County Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Maddox said Eggleston billed the department for gas for his own personal vehicle from 45 to 50 times between December 2006 and March. She did not say the value of the gas stolen, but called it “a huge amount of gasoline.”

Maddox said Eggleston told an investigator the department’s fuel policy was “too easy, too tempting” not to take advantage of it.

Eggleston’s lawyer, Wanda Yoder, said Eggleston has paid back the department.

Amherst County Circuit Court Judge Michael Gamble scheduled Eggleston’s sentencing hearing for Jan. 21.