YCSO has released the latest information regarding an alleged fraud scheme involving 44-year old Raymond Bagger who was posing as a wildland firefighter. He was allegedly raising funds as a volunteer firefighter and/or selling wildland firefighting contracts. Spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says the pressure from community members, investigative work by detectives and assistance from Central Arizona Fire and Medical officials, has succeeded in shutting down Bagger and his scheme in the area. The investigation revealed that the men did not have firefighter, wildland fire or EMS qualifications and cannot provide the services for which they were seeking donations. According to court records, Bagger served time in prison for impersonating a police officer and fraud schemes in December 2012.D’Evelyn says during the investigation, it was learned Bagger was on active probation out of Pima County. D’Evelyn says that although Yavapai Fire Protection has disappeared from social media;detectives are continuing to pursue leads and specific victims regarding the scheme.He says the case has not yet met prosecution requirements in Yavapai County, and detectives are seeking anyone who may have signed a contract for private firefighting services with Bagger or one of his partners in the scheme.Anyone who came in contact with Bagger is asked to call YCSO.
