Former Carlyle Police Chief Accused Of Embezzling More Than $100,000

EAST ST. LOUIS - A former police chief in Carlyle, Ill., has been indicted on federal charges accusing him of embezzling more than $100,000 in public funds for personal benefit, according to prosecutors.

A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Mark A. Pingsterhaus, 52, of Carlyle, with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of theft of government funds. The case was announced in East St. Louis.

According to the indictment, Pingsterhaus is accused of embezzling funds from at least January 2017 to November 2025 while serving as police chief for the City of Carlyle and as chief financial officer for the Carlyle Fire Protection District. Prosecutors allege he used City of Carlyle and Carlyle Fire Protection District funds for unauthorized personal expenses, including travel, entertainment, and goods and services.

In two examples cited in the indictment, Pingsterhaus allegedly used the City of Carlyle’s bank card to purchase WNBA tickets and the Carlyle Fire Protection District’s bank card to buy jewelry from Zales. He is also accused of using funds from the Carlyle Police Department’s Drug and Education Fund for personal expenses.

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“We strongly support law enforcement because the overwhelming majority of officers serve with dedication, honor, and courage. But when any officer, especially a chief, betrays the community they are sworn to protect, we will take decisive action,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “I appreciate our partnership with the Carlyle Police Department and city officials, who have fully cooperated in good faith during the investigation.”

FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge Ruben Marchand-Morales said the agency’s work with local departments includes both public safety and the protection of public resources.

“Our partnership to combat violent crime and drug trafficking with the Carlyle Police Department and surrounding agencies has led to results that have undoubtedly made the region safer. That being said, our mission is to not only combat violent crime, but to protect against the exploitation of the very systems designed to help our communities,” Marchand-Morales said. “When resources meant for community elevation are diverted for personal gain, it undermines the safety we work so hard to build and harms the community we swore to protect.”

Convictions for wire fraud are punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment, and theft of government funds can carry up to 10 years in federal prison.

The FBI Springfield Field Office is leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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