Christi Meyers Faces Felony Charges After Auburn Police Department Credit Card Discovery
A warrant has been issued for 59-year-old Christi Meyers, a former administrative assistant for the Auburn Police Department, following an internal discovery of missing funds tied to department credit cards and gift card purchases. Filed on Thursday in Allen County, court documents detail three Level 6 felony charges against Meyers: theft, fraud, and official misconduct, wane.com reported.
Auburn Police Chief Discovers Missing Visa Gift Cards in Office
The investigation began after Meyers was terminated from her position in June. Auburn Police Chief Cory Heffelfinger discovered multiple gift cards left behind in her office and subsequently contacted Indiana State Police detectives. Chief Heffelfinger originally directed Meyers to purchase Walmart gift cards using the department’s credit card to fund the Shop With a Cop event, noting the purchase method helped streamline operations.
Upon reviewing the leftover cards, Heffelfinger found a Visa gift card alongside three open Visa gift card packages. Transaction histories revealed that the card had been activated for $500 and completely drained. Purchases included a $225 transaction for the Indiana Christmas Train, an entity completely unaffiliated with the police department.
Unauthorized Walmart and Kroger Purchases Total Thousands of Dollars
Court documents outline a pattern of spending outside the scope of department operations. Records show four separate $1,000 transactions at Walmart across four consecutive days, followed by a $1,006.84 transaction the next day. An additional purchase totaling $1,627.80 for four Visa gift cards was executed at Kroger.
Receipts recovered by investigators included five labeled “Shop With a Cop” from Walmart and Kroger, alongside one Home Depot receipt labeled “Parade.” The Kroger receipt specifically documented three $500 gift cards and one $100 card, matching the Visa card discovered inside Meyers’s office. A customer loyalty account tied directly to Meyers was used during the Kroger transaction.
Surveillance Footage and Utility Payments Tracked to Former Administrative Assistant
Investigators expanded their financial audit using email addresses, loyalty accounts, and surveillance footage to trace the usage of the drained Visa cards. A Christmas Train employee confirmed that an account associated with Meyers was used to book tickets. Additional transactions occurred at NCG Cinemas, where surveillance footage captured Meyers purchasing movie concessions while accompanied by children.
Further records show a Visa card was utilized in two separate transactions to settle utility bills with Indiana Michigan Power (I&M). Representatives from the utility company confirmed the targeted account belonged to Meyers. Additional transaction histories tied to other cards listed purchases at:
- Walmart
- Dunhams
- The Salvation Army
- CVS
- Chow Hound
- Casey’s
- Amazon
Chief Heffelfinger confirmed to investigators that Walmart was the sole authorized vendor for department credit cards specifically intended for the Shop With a Cop event, verifying that none of the other listed retail locations were permissible uses of police funds.
Arrest Warrant Issued as Defense Counsel Directs Contact
When investigators attempted to reach Meyers regarding the questioned Visa gift cards, she declined an in-person meeting and instructed law enforcement to direct all communication and documents to her attorney. As of the filing, an active arrest warrant remains out for Meyers, and she has not yet been taken into custody.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Auburn Police Department Investigation
What specific charges were filed against Christi Meyers?
Meyers faces three Level 6 felony charges in Allen County: theft, fraud, and official misconduct. These charges stem from the alleged misuse of department credit cards to purchase unauthorized gift cards.
Which retail stores were authorized for police credit card usage?
According to Auburn Police Chief Cory Heffelfinger, Walmart was the only authorized vendor permitted for department credit card use, specifically designated for funding the Shop With a Cop event.
Has Christi Meyers been taken into custody?
No. While an active warrant has been issued for her arrest, Meyers has not yet been apprehended by law enforcement, and she previously directed investigators to communicate exclusively through her legal counsel.