Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 15, 2025
South Zanesville Firefighter Pleads Guilty to Embezzling over $30,000 in Community Raffle Funds
(ZANESVILLE, OH)
On September 10, 2025, Timothy J. Pulley, 29, of Zanesville, OH, entered into a guilty plea for charges that stem from Pulley embezzling over thirty-thousand dollars from his place of employment, the South Zanesville Fire Department.
Timothy J. Pulley’s charges include Theft in Office and Tampering with Evidence, felonies of the third-degree.
Pulley entered into a guilty plea by way of a bill of information. A bill of information is filed by the prosecutor when accusing a person of a crime. The document details the alleged crimes and charges. When an accused person signs a bill of information, they waive an indictment. The signing of the bill further enters the accused into a guilty plea. After signing, if not already incarcerated, the individual is transferred to jail, and they are then scheduled for sentencing.
Pulley’s bill of information included a recommendation from the State for a 4-year prison sentence and restitution in the amount of $32,449.46.
Case Details:
In early 2025 the South Zanesville Fire Department, through its fundraising club, organized a raffle fundraiser to support the purchase of a new ambulance. Several employees received tasks for the raffle’s operations. Pulley was tasked with managing the payment platforms which are where raffle funds were received. The platforms included Stripe, Shopify, and PayPal.
Investigations into the internal theft report revealed that between May and August of 2025 Timothy Pulley embezzled over $32,000 in raffle proceeds from the South Zanesville Fire Department Club. Pulley transferred funds into his personal accounts and used the money for rent, living expenses, and the purchase of a new 2025 Honda motorcycle.
“This defendant violated the trust of both the firefighters he worked with and the community he was supposed to protect,” said County Prosecutor Ron Welch. “Stealing money meant for the protection of firefighters and the community must be punished and this resolution should send a strong message that stealing from taxpayers will not be tolerated. “
Further details of the case will be released after Pulley receives sentencing.
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