Former Western Plains superintendent accused of stealing more than $25K from district, faces 19 criminal charges

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - A month after his arrest, the now-former superintendent of the Western Plains school district (USD 106) in Ness County faces 19 criminal counts in connection with the alleged theft of more than $25,000 from the district.

The complaint against Jeff Michael Jones includes a count of theft in which he’s accused of stealing between $25,000 and $100,000.

Jones faces formal charges in Ness County after his arrest in late August, when he was booked on charges totaling 10 counts.

The 19 total counts against Jones, in the complaint filed in Ness County District Court, include:

• Aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim
• Contributing to a child’s misconduct or deprivation
• Felony theft
• Interference with judicial process
• Making false information
• Unlawful acts concerning computers
• Official misconduct
• Interference with law enforcement
• Presenting a false claim
• Misuse of public funds
• Misdemeanor theft
• Failure to make reports or preventing or interfering with reports
• Attempted theft
• Four counts of making or participating in prohibited contracts
• Two counts of official misconduct

Following his arrest, Jones was placed on administrative leave. On Tuesday, USD 106 confirmed that he is no longer with the district.

Brandon Mitchell, Ness County Sheriff, spoke about the investigation and how it has impacted the community.

“This case became a lot about the superintendent, but it needs to be more about those kids at the school and the students and the teachers that, like I said, this was their second day of school, and they had to learn how to function without a superintendent and without air conditioning, all at the same time,” Mitchell said. “So they were doing half days, and they were doing everything they could to get through the day, battling the heat. You know, we had 110 days, 115 degree days, and they had to work through that, and work through their superintendent being arrested all in the same week. So it’s tough.”

Mitchell also shared that the investigation started in late July because of a tip. He said that teachers and staff are mandatory reporters, required to report all suspected misdemeanors and felony crimes, not just child abuse.

An interim superintendent is currently in place.