Media Release:
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has charged a Smithsburg woman with Theft from Smithsburg EMS.
On December 17, 2019, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was contacted in reference to possible embezzlement/theft from Smithsburg Emergency Medical Services (EMS), 8 Maple Avenue, Smithsburg, MD.
After a lengthy investigation, it was uncovered that Emily Beth Demmons, who served as the treasurer for Smithsburg EMS, had stolen funds from Smithsburg EMS.
Demmons had been in charge of finances at Smithsburg EMS since 2008. Based on the statute of limitations for the crime of theft, Detectives reviewed the accounts that Demmons had access to from the period of March 2017 until March 2020. Demmons only used a Columbia Bank Account for purchases during the times of March 2017 until she left Smithsburg EMS in May 2019.
After sorting through the charges from the Columbia Bank account, it was found that from March 7, 2017, until March 5, 2020 Demmons stole $36,145.06 from Smithsburg EMS funds.
The Maryland State Legislation changed the laws of Theft on October 1, 2017. Detectives reviewed the charges and were able to determine which charges were from March 7, 2017, until September 30, 2017, and from October 1, 2017, until May 1, 2019 (when Demmons was removed from Smithsburg EMS).
The theft from Smithsburg EMS by Demmons from March 7, 2017, until September 30, 2017, is in the amount of $9,518.16.
The theft from Smithsburg EMS by Demmons from October 1, 2017, until May 1, 2019, is in the amount of $26,626.90.
It is believed that Demmons has stolen more than the allotted amount for charging purposes, however, those funds will be accounted for civil litigation between Smithsburg EMS and Demmons.
In reference to the thefts occurring prior to October 1, 2017, Demmons has been charged with Theft: $1,000 to under $10,000 and Theft Scheme: $1,000 to under $10,000
In reference to the crimes occurring after October 1, 2017, Demmons has been charged with Theft $25,000 to under $100,000 and Theft Scheme: $25,000 to under $100,000.
Emily Beth Demmons, 42, of Smithsburg was charged via criminal summons and was served on March 7, 2020.