By Steven Spencer
Scott County State’s Attorney, Ricard Crews, filed several charges and issued an arrest warrant last week for former Winchester EMS employee and board member Jennifer McMillen.
State’s Attorney Crews announced the 16 charges, which include nine counts of theft, that are alleged to have been committed against the WInchester EMS between August 2021 and April 2025.
Although the charges cite theft from the Winchester EMS, it was stated that there is no evidence that taxpayer money was misused.
“There is no evidence that shows that the Defendant misused any of the funds provided by Scott County. Those funds are deposited into a payroll account in a different bank from where her alleged misconduct took place,” Crews stated in a press release.
The full press release reads:
On July 7, 2025, the Illinois State Police Special Investigation Unit presented a completed investigation to the Scott County State’s Attorney’s Office concerning unauthorized purchases and transfers of funds at the Winchester EMS.
“The ISP Special Investigation Unit is dedicated to upholding public integrity and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the public’s trust,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
On July 9, 2025, the Scott County State’s Attorney, Richard K. Crews, filed a sixteen (16) Count Information against and issued a warrant for the arrest of former employee and board member of the Winchester EMS, Jennifer J. McMillen, of Winchester, Illinois.
“I am very impressed with the information presented to my office.” State’s Attorney Crews said. “The investigation did a thorough review of all EMS purchases and transfers for the past four (4) years.”
The counts included nine counts of theft, two of which were in excess of $10,000.00 but less than $100,000.00 (Class 2 felonies), the remaining were in excess of $500.00 but less than $10,000.00 (Class 3 felonies); and, seven counts of wire fraud, all of which are class 3 felonies.
These offenses were committed against the Winchester EMS and are alleged to have occurred between the dates of August of 2021 and April of 2025.
When questioned about whether or not the Defendant obtained any taxpayer money provided by Scott County, State’s Attorney Crews responded, “There is no evidence that shows that the Defendant misused any of the funds provided by Scott County. Those funds are deposited into a payroll account in a different bank from where her alleged misconduct took place.”
