BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The former executive director at an alcohol and drug rehab facility in Bentonville is accused of using his company-issued card to purchase more than $35,000 worth of personal items including several guns, new tires for his truck, and clothing over the course of eight months.
According to documents of the investigation conducted by the Benton County Sheriff's Office, 24-year-old Ashton Jaylee Kelley, known as Jaylee, began working at EagleCrest Recovery in February 2020 and at some point after becoming the executive director, was given a credit card for purchases related to the rehab facility.
An internal investigation by the facility's owners Juan and Julie Hernandez found evidence in the receipts of Kelley's company-issued credit card that led them to report Kelley to the sheriff's office on suspicion of fraud, the affidavit said. The owners decided, after finding the fraudulent charges, to fire Kelley.
Juan and Julie reportedly began the internal investigation after other employees at the facility came forward, saying they believed Kelley "bought many things for personal reasons with the company's money" and that they should look into it.
The affidavit notes the facility's owners told detectives Kelley's wife would also use the company credit card—receipts were reportedly found documenting purchases of press-on nails, toys, and video games from Walmart. Kelley had racked up over $17,000 in purchases on his EagleCrest card between May 2022 and February 2023.
After the case was reported, a Benton County detective interviewed Kelley and his wife at their home. They allegedly denied misusing the company credit card to the detective. In the affidavit, the detective said while leaving the Kelley home, he noticed a Chevy Silverado truck in the driveway "with very nice wheels and tires." The detective said he took pictures of the truck, wheels, and tires, and confirmed with the Firestone in Centerton that the tires (costing $1,432.65) were bought by Kelley on February 13, 2023, using the EagleCrest Recovery card.
According to the affidavit, other purchases on Kelley's company card include over $7,000 in guns and ammo and $1,324 on items bought on Etsy like a Hakuna Matata shirt, Cat Watering Plants Sweatshirt, and men's rings.
Detectives also received information from an employee at the facility, who said Kelley asked him about motorcycles, and the employee told him to look at the 883 Sportster at Harley Davidson. While feeding Kelley's pets while the family was out of town, he noticed the exact motorcycle at Kelley's home. The detective followed up with Harley Davidson in Rogers, where he confirmed the motorcycle was bought using the company credit card.
On Nov. 21, 2023, a Benton County circuit judge found sufficient cause to detain Kelley and set his bail for $20,000 cash. Kelley's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 2, 2024.
5NEWS reached out to EagleCrest Recovery for comment but hasn't heard back.
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