UPDATE: Winneshiek deputy allegedly used sheriff’s office account for personal purchases

(ABC 6 News) – The Winneshiek County deputy charged with tax evasion and theft Thursday allegedly used a sheriff’s office tax-exempt account to buy personal items, according to court documents.

Makenz Kriener allegedly went to Norby’s Fleet Farm while on duty and purchased unapproved items on the “WCSO tax-exempt account,” which excluded sales tax.

He later “admitted the use of items is on a mostly personal basis and had stored the items at his residence,” according to court documents.

Kriener is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 13 on charges of 5th-degree theft and sales tax violation–evasion of sales tax.

The investigation began after a complaint was made Dec. 4, and court documents list “caught in the act,” “admission/statements” and “identified by witnesses” as elements that helped determine probable cause.

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Winneshiek deputy charged with sales tax evasion

Winneshiek deputy charged with sales tax evasion

(ABC 6 News) – A Winneshiek County deputy faces tax evasion and theft charges, according to the sheriff’s office.

The WCSO hired 33-year-old Makenz Kriener in 2020, according to Facebook.

According to a press release, the sheriff’s office received information about “possible criminal misconduct” by an employee and conducted an internal investigation.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was involved.

On Jan. 1, Kriener was charged with D Felony sales tax evasion, as well as simple misdemeanor 5th-degree theft.

According to the WCSO, the investigation is on going “and therefore, no other details are being released at this time.”