Ex-Crystal Beach fire chief charged with felony theft, misapplication of fiduciary property

CRYSTAL BEACH, TX (KTRK) -- The former fire chief of the Crystal Beach Volunteer Fire Department is facing felony charges amid accusations of theft.

David Miles Loop, 56, was indicted this week on the charges of second degree-felony theft by a public servant and misapplication of fiduciary property, a third-degree felony.

The Galveston County Sheriff's Office says Loop is accused of charging $25,000 the Crystal Beach Volunteer Fire Department's credit card while visiting a Louisiana race track and casino. Authorities say he also misappropriated over $45,000 of the department's money.

Authorities filed the charges against Loop following a nine-month investigation by the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Detectives, the District Attorney's Fraud Examiner and the Public Integrity Prosecutor.

Loop's bonds are set at $10,000 for the theft charge and $5,000 for the misapplication of fiduciary property charge.