Gordonville firefighters indicted on federal tampering charges
Save Email Print
Updated: 12:14 PM Feb 19, 2008
Gordonville firefighters indicted on federal tampering charges
SHERMAN, TX -- Two Gordonville firefighters were indicted by a grand jury Thursday on federal tampering charges.
Posted: 12:46 PM Feb 14, 2008
Reporter: KXII Staff
Email Address: firstnews@kxii.com
Font Size:

SHERMAN, Tex. -- Two Gordonville volunteer firefighters were indicted Thursday on charges of tampering with government records in 2006.

Michael Edwin Simmons and Donny Peel have been with the Gordonville Volunteer Fire Department for the past year and half. Now, their positions could be in jeopardy as new allegations surface that they falsified documents in order to get more federal funding for the fire department.

Peel and Summers turned themselves into Precinct Three Constable Todd Booher on December 31 after a warrant was issued for their arrest.

Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown told KXII-TV last Friday both men face charges of tampering with government records. Brown says the Department of Homeland Security was alerted about possible violations after they received a complaint.

According to court records, the two men completed competency tests for other firefighters without their knowledge. The completed tests, which are part of the National Incident Management System, would allow the Gordonville Volunteer Fire Department to receive federal funding.

Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown says the federal government has been investigating the case since August 2007.

The two men appeared in front of a grand jury on Thursday in Sherman.

"Going online and using other people’s names and social security numbers to take the test is problematic because it’s against the law and it’s misrepresentation," assistant district attorney J. Kerye Ashmore said.

Peel is currently serving as the interim fire chief, and Simmons is on leave.

District attorney Joe Brown says if convicted of tampering with government records, the men could face up to two years in jail.

Doppler 12 Radar
AP Video on KXII
In The Community
Glow Fest takes to the skies in Anna

Last Updated: 5:11 PM 11/06/09 - ANNA, TX -- There will be some larger than life aircraft in the skies over Anna this weekend. Josh Stevenson files this report on the goings on at the Anna Glow Fest Friday morning. (Full Story)
Fright Fest highlight of the weekend

Last Updated: 11:12 PM 11/01/09 - Halloween trick-or-treaters are probably counting their candy hauls by now. But earlier this weekend families were out in the thousands to celebrate on Sherman's Municipal lawn. (Full Story)
Flu concerns affect Halloween

Last Updated: 9:39 AM 10/30/09 - SHERMAN, TX -- Forget the monsters, ghosts and goblins, this Halloween the real scare is potentially spreading the H1N1 flu virus. Parties and trick or treating are just more opportunities for flu germs to reach more children. (Full Story)
Calvary Baptist Church Fall Festival

Last Updated: 7:19 AM 10/27/09 - Calvary Baptist Church is hosting their fall festival Saturday October 31 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the church 300 West Acheson St. (Full Story)
New charity helps kids in Texoma

Last Updated: 10:59 PM 10/25/09 - Denison, TX - A new charity in Texoma kicked off its first fundraiser today in Denison, and that means more children and their families could be getting the help they need. (Full Story)
More Headlines