MANNSVILLE, Okla. - A former volunteer fire chief in southern Oklahoma is accused of using a fire department debit card and bank account to take thousands of dollars for personal use, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Blake Kendall, 28, was arrested Aug. 24 in Ardmore by Chickasaw Lighthorse Police officers on charges of embezzlement and violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. He was booked into the Marshall County Jail.

The investigation began after the Carter County District Attorney’s Office asked the OSBI to investigate allegations of embezzlement, fraud and computer crimes involving the city of Mannsville.

OSBI special agents determined Kendall, who previously served as Mannsville’s volunteer fire chief, obtained a debit card linked to the fire department’s bank account.

Investigators said Kendall added the department’s debit card to his personal Cash App account and then used fire department money for personal expenses.

According to the OSBI, Kendall made several transactions through Cash App totaling more than $1,200.

Investigators also found that Kendall withdrew $6,500 in cash from Citizens Bank. Agents identified additional reported cash withdrawals and debit card purchases totaling more than $7,800, according to the OSBI.

The agency did not specify whether the $7,800 figure includes the Cash App transactions and $6,500 withdrawal or represents additional transactions.

During the investigation, authorities determined Kendall is a Chickasaw citizen. The OSBI provided its investigative report to the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department and the Chickasaw Nation Office of Tribal Justice Administration.

The Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department subsequently arrested Kendall in Ardmore.

The OSBI Fraud and Cybercrime Unit conducted the investigation with assistance from the Carter County District Attorney’s Office, Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department and Chickasaw Nation Office of Tribal Justice Administration.