A former finance director of a Haines guiding company has been charged with stealing close to $60,000 from the company before fleeing to the lower 48. He’s now been arrested and extradited to Alaska.

 

Dionicio Charles was hired by Alaska Mountain Guides as finance director in August of last year. The 43-year-old left the state in September under the alleged pretext of receiving medical care in Seattle. Later that month several unauthorized money transfers were made to his and his wife’s accounts. In total, at least $58,000 was allegedly stolen from Alaska Mountain Guides. 

An arrest warrant was issued for Charles November 4th, and he was charged with first-degree theft, scheme to defraud and misapplication of property. About a month later – on December 6 – authorities located him in Riverton, Utah, according to the Chilkat Valley News. He was arrested without incident and later extradited to Alaska.  

On December 15th in the Juneau Superior Court, Charles was indicted for First-degree Theft over $25,000 and Scheme to Defraud, over $10,000 according to court records. Both charges are class B felonies that carry a punishment of up to 10 years in prison, up to $100,000 in fines, or both.

Both the Haines Police Department and Alaska Mountain Guides declined to comment amid ongoing litigation. There is still no word on if any charges have been filed against Charles’ wife.

Charles is currently being held in Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau on $100,000 bail. He was appointed a public defender on January 4th. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 15th.

Reporting from Haines, I’m Brandon Wilks.