Noah Johnson Daily Press Todd Holland takes his oath before confirming his guilty plea regarding an embezzlement charge during his time as the secretary treasurer for the Ford River Township Volunteer Fire Department.

ESCANABA — A local volunteer fire department’s former treasurer pleaded guilty in Delta County District Court on Monday to embezzling thousands of dollars.

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

Holland entered a guilty plea as part of a plea agreement with the prosecution.

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

When Holland was arraigned back in October 2024, he was charged with embezzlement – $50,000 or more but less than $100,000, a felony.

The prosecution added a count of embezzlement of $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, a felony, as well a requirement that the full amount of restitution, $70,000, be paid by the time of sentencing. As part of the agreement, the original count was dismissed.

“In exchange, the People will be dismissing count one, and in addition, the People agree to recommend a sentence of no more than three months in the Delta County Jail if complete restitution is paid by the time of sentencing. If restitution is not paid by the time of sentencing, then there would be no sentence agreement,” said Delta County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Beth Wickwire.

Holland accepted the agreement.

Ford River Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brian Nelson talked about how he felt and what’s next for the department after the court hearing.

He said he was okay with the decision and emphasized that the department wants to get the funds back to fund the department and purchase equipment.

“The $70,000 that we raised through fundraising; that’s a big amount of money for us that took several years for us to build that up,” he said.

He added that he is hopeful Holland can find a way to pay back the $70,000.

Holland has until his sentencing, April 28, to pay the $70,000 restitution in full.

Nelson said the department has not been in jeopardy of being able to operate, but it has certainly cut back on its spending during this period.

The department hosts pancake breakfast fundraisers twice a year to help support the department; it was most recently held in October, shortly after Holland’s initial arraignment.

“It was a really big turnout; the community response was great. You know, we’ve always had the support of the community over the years, and we definitely appreciate that,” Nelson said.

The community can show its support at the next pancake breakfast on April 27 at the Highland Golf Club. Nelson said more details would come, so follow the Ford River Volunteer Fire Department on Facebook for updates.

He added that the embezzlement has taken a toll on his department, but he’s grateful for all of the community support.

“For the community to come around and rally around, you know, and be supportive in a time like this, definitely makes it a little bit easier to get through that stuff,” he said.