FORD RIVER — A local volunteer fire department’s former treasurer was arraigned in Delta County District Court Wednesday for allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars from the department.

Todd Anthony Holland, the former secretary/treasurer of the Ford River Township Volunteer Fire Department, is accused of embezzling roughly $70,000.

Holland was arraigned in the 94th District Court before Judge Steven C. Parks.

Ford River Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brian Nelson explained after the court hearing how his department figured out Holland allegedly took funds.

The department wrote a check to purchase a new large-volume pump to fill trucks with water, a necessary replacement for its current system.

“We had made a large purchase that we were going to be paying for with our fundraising money, which is what he was in charge of, and the check was written out and sent to the company, and the check didn’t clear,” Nelson said.

After speaking with the company, Nelson began looking into the situation at the end of June. He said that after figuring out the money was missing, he contacted Michigan State Police.

Holland now faces one charge of embezzlement – $50,000 or more but less than $100,000, a felony.

If convicted, Holland could face 15 years in prison and/or $25,000, or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater.

According to court records, a consecutive sentence may be imposed for any other conviction if the embezzlement victim was a non-profit, a person 60 years of age or older, or a vulnerable adult.

Court records indicate that Holland’s alleged crime occurred between Jan. 1, 2019, and June 2, 2024.

Nelson said he hopes the proceedings will lead to the department getting the money that was taken back.

“The guys worked very hard for fundraising money (that) gives us the ability to buy some equipment and stuff. Obviously, all the townships and stuff – they’re limited – they’re working on limited budgets and stuff, and fire department equipment is expensive,” he said.

“We would really appreciate to get that money back.”

He said that the department is not without the needed equipment, as the township stepped in and covered the cost of the pump.

Nelson wanted to clarify that the alleged embezzlement has nothing to do with the township board.

“It had nothing to do with them. The township boards, the township treasurers; they had no oversight over this, so they would have never seen or spotted it because they have no oversight over it,” Nelson explained.

He added that following the allegations, the township board will now give the township treasurer the oversight of the department’s fundraising.

“The township treasurer, now, from here on out, will have the sight over basically when we want to spend the money,” he said.

Holland will be back in court on Oct. 17 for a probable cause conference, which is closed to the public. He will have a preliminary exam in October. 24, which is open to the public.

Nelson added that if the community wants to help the department, they can attend its next pancake breakfast fundraiser on Oct. 27 at the Highland Golf Club from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Donations can also be sent to the township.

“We live in a great community,” Nelson said.

“Anytime we do fundraisers, the community comes out to support us, so we just ask that they continue to do that.”