Former Nowata County Sheriff Kenny Freeman appeared in court on Monday for a preliminary hearing. Associate District Judge Carl Gibson found probable cause that Freeman committed the felony crime of embezzlement in September of 2018.

Court documents allege that Freeman misappropriated a donation of school supplies from Walmart. Freeman allegedly passed out the supplies from his booth at the Nowata County Free Fair in an effort to campaign for re-election.

Prosecutor for the State of Oklahoma Kevin Buchanan, presented evidence and called three witnesses to give testimonies. Carol Bronnenberg, a Walmart claims supervisor was the first witness called. Bronnenberg oversaw the coordination of school supply donations to six different schools in the area. The donation in question was supposed to be for Nowata and South Coffeyville schools.

Buchanan then presented a ‘Hold Harmless Agreement’ that stated the intended purpose for the donation was to go to the Nowata and South Coffeyville schools.

Allie Griner was the second witness called to the stand. Griner is a Walmart employee who helped prepare the donation of supplies. Griner attended the fair as well. She noted it was odd that her small children were given supplies from Freeman’s booth.

Michon Hastings-Hughes argued on behalf on Freeman. During her questioning of investigator Jim Elliott she noted that the ‘Hold Harmless Agreement’ did not give any specified details as to how the donation would be delivered to the school children of Nowata County.

The value of the donation was a point of disagreement between the counselors. The defense stated since Walmart marked the products for donation they truly did not have a monetary value. Hasting-Hughes argued that state did not bear the burden of proof of the crime of embezzlement. Buchanan presented evidence that put the value of the donation at $8,933.

Ultimately, Judge Gibson decided that probable cause was presented for the crime of embezzlement. Freeman will be arraigned in district court in front of Judge Linda Thomas on February 22 at 9 a.m.