By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

Former Columbia Police Chief Joe Van Parkman declined comment to the Informer as he made his way into the Marion County Circuit Courtroom this afternoon for his first appearance on embezzlement and fraudulent statement charges.

Fomer Columbia Police Department Captain David Powell also declined comment as he walked into the courtroom. Powell is charged with three counts of embezzlement (Please see previous Informer stories).

Today’s  appearance was brief and basically involved the men signing paperwork to get their cases moving through the court process.

The next court appearance for the men is  Jan. 29 when their trial

dates will be set.

Former Columbia Police Chief Joe Van Parkman and former Columbia Police Department Captain David Powell are scheduled to appear in Marion County Circuit Court this afternoon on embezzlement charges.

Marion County Circuit Court Clerk Jesse Loftin told the Informer this morning that this is “arraignment day” for Parkman and Powell.

After today, the next court appearance for Parkman and Powell will be Jan. 29 when

their trial dates will be set.

Parkman was indicted In December by a Marion County grand jury on two counts of fraudulent statements and one count of embezzlement.

The charges came after an Attorney General’s Office investigation found that Parkman allegedly made false and fraudulent statements to the Columbia city clerk concerning items purchased from Waldo’s Sports Center in Columbia.

Count one alleges that on July 17, 2008 Parkman labeled a purchase order stating that he was going to buy shotgun shells but instead purchased a semiautomatic rifle. The rifle was not listed in police inventory.

Count two charges that on May 20, 2008 Parkman labeled another purchase order stating that he was going to buy “squad equipment” but instead purchased a .40-caliber handgun. He did not list the gun in police inventory. Click to continue »

Press Release

A former Columbia Police Department captain has been indicted on three counts of embezzlement, confirmed  Attorney General Jim Hood today.

David C. Powell, age 36, of 618 Branton Avenue, Columbia, was indicted yesterday in Marion County on charges that he pawned equipment that came into his possession as a result of his position as a law enforcement officer.

Former Columbia Police Chief Joe Van Parkman was also recently indicted on charges of making fraudulent statements and embezzlement. It is unclear if the cases are related. Click to continue »

By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

Former Columbia Police Joe Van Parkman has been indicted by a Marion County grand jury on two counts of fraudulent statements and one count of embezzlement.

Parkman was arrested this week following an Attorney General’s Office investigation and booked into Marion County Jail. He bonded out for $20,000 shortly after being booked. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. in Marion County Circuit Court. Click to continue »