Tyler Robert Cooley

WARSAW — The former treasurer for the Third District Democratic Party was sentenced for theft, a level 6 felony, this morning Jan. 22, in Kosciusko County Circuit Court.

Tyler Robert Cooley, Markle, was arrested in February 2017 after stealing from the party’s funds. According to the affidavit of probable cause, on June 24, 2016, a Noble County Sheriff officer spoke with an individual who is with the Third District Democratic Party. The woman told police an audit had found that a total of $7,042 had been stolen from the party’s account.

Cooley later admitted that from September 2015 to July 2016, he had stolen money from the Third District Democratic Party checking account and had used the money for his own personal use without permission or consent.

During sentencing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton stressed that the main goal of sentencing would be restitution to the party. “The victim has indicated to me that that is a substantial amount of money to the party and restitution is essential.”

Judge Michael Reed agreed with Hampton’s stance on the matter. “You violated a position of trust here,” said Reed. “I’d like to see you make restitution.”

Cooley was sentenced to serve 2 1/2 years on probation and ordered to pay $6,892 worth of restitution to the Third District Democratic Party. The suspended sentence will allow Cooley to obtain employment in order to pay the restitution.