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FIRE MARSHAL FACES 17 ADDITIONAL CHARGES

An assistant county fire marshal, accused of bilking several people out of money in a scam involving a bogus fundraising drive for a drug prevention program, has been indicted on 17 additional counts of obtaining property by false pretense.

The grand jury returned the indictments last Monday against Allie Lane Renegar, who was already facing seven felony counts in connection with soliciting area businesses for money he said he needed to pay for a D.A.R.E.  racecar.

Arrest warrants for Renegar were served Tuesday.

Court records now show that about a month prior to his arrest earlier this month, Renegar allegedly sold a racecar, trailer, racing suit and helmet for a total of $2,000.

None of that money, investigators say, went to pay for a D.A.R.E racecar that Renegar said would be used to educate kids about the dangers of substance abuse.

And Renegar told at least one businessman, according to investigators, that he needed more than $5,000 to make his fund-raising program a success.

The sale of the racecar and paraphernalia, none of which contained D.A.R.E.  markings, was part of three search warrants executed against Renegar.  Law officers seized bank statements and photographs from Renegar's home, the assistant fire marshal's truck and Renegar's office at the county planning and permits building.

Officers with the Yadkinville Police Department and Yadkin Sheriff's Office arrested Renegar, 32, of 420 West Hemlock St., Yadkinville, charging him with seven felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense.

Investigators allege that Renegar, while he was working as assistant fire marshal, solicited individuals and businesses for more than $1,000 to pay for a D.A.R.E.  racecar he planned to race at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem.

D.A.R.E.  ( Drug Abuse Resistance Education ) is the in-school drug abuse program operated by the sheriff's office.  Law enforcement and school officials say that Renegar was not affiliated with the D.A.R.E.  program.

Renegar, who performed most of the county fire inspections, has been placed on unpaid suspension, pending additional investigation, County Manager Cecil Wood said last week.

According to Lt.  Patrick Long of the Yadkinville Police Department, the lead investigator in the case, all of the checks made to Renegar had been cashed.  None of the money was donated to the D.A.R.E.  program, the sheriff's office or the school system.

None of Renegar's employers or potential beneficiaries, including Fire Marshal Eddie Weatherman, County Manager Cecil Wood, Sheriff Mike Cain, Schools Superintendent Barbara Todd and Boonville Police Commissioner Martha Peeler, said that Renegar was authorized to solicit money for a D.A.R.E.  racecar.

In addition to his full-time duties as assistant fire marshal, Renegar was a part-time officer with the Boonville police department until he resigned about a month ago, according to interim Chief Rex Baity.  Renegar also worked for the county's emergency medical services department.

No court date has been set for Renegar on the latest charges.