After a lengthy investigation conducted by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, in cooperation with the Red Cross authorities, a felony Complaint has been filed against John Stephen Hellman, a former employee of the American Red Cross who was assigned to assist victims of the 2007 Angora Fire. The Complaint charges ten counts of Penal Code § 487(a), Grand Theft Embezzlement, and one count of Penal Code § 487(B)(3), Embezzlement. A $150,000.00 arrest warrant was issued by the El Dorado County Superior Court on August 6, 2009. Mr. Hellman was taken into custody by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Criminal Intel Services and is being held pending extradition.
The charges and allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.