WASHINGTON, MO – A respected figure in Missouri law enforcement has fallen from grace, admitting to pilfering over $29,000 from the very organization designed to nurture the next generation of cops. David Kesterson, 48, of Washington, Missouri, pleaded guilty to fraud, a betrayal that has shocked local police departments and left a youth program scrambling to recover.
Kesterson, who simultaneously served as Director of the St. Louis Area Law Enforcement Exploring Association (STLEEA) and as a Lieutenant with the Washington Police Department, systematically abused his position of trust between February 1, 2018, and April 2019. He had complete control of the STLEEA finances, including a dedicated credit and debit card intended for legitimate organizational expenses related to the Explorer Academy training.
The scheme began to unravel after a routine phone call. U.S. Bank contacted the STLEEA’s Assistant Director regarding a late credit card payment. This triggered an internal investigation, quickly revealing a pattern of personal purchases charged to the STLEEA account and a separate Washington Police Department account Kesterson managed for the association. Records paint a clear picture: Kesterson wasn’t just borrowing from the fund; he was treating it like a personal slush pile.
Federal investigators, spearheaded by the U.S. Secret Service along with the Washington and O’Fallon, Missouri Police Departments, meticulously traced the fraudulent spending. The total loss tallied over $29,000, funds that were meant to support training and activities for young people interested in law enforcement careers. Importantly, the investigation confirmed Kesterson acted alone – no other members of the Washington Police Department or other agencies were implicated.
Kesterson now faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. However, the final sentence will be determined by a judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines in making their decision. While the guidelines offer a range, the gravity of the betrayal – a law enforcement officer stealing from a youth program – is unlikely to be overlooked.
The case serves as a stark reminder that corruption can infiltrate even the most trusted institutions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, and the STLEEA is left to rebuild its finances and, more importantly, its trust with the community. The Eastern District of Missouri will be watching closely to see how the court addresses this egregious breach of public and organizational faith.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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