CASSOPOLIS — A Michigan State Police trooper assigned to the Niles Post was arraigned Tuesday in Cass County District Court on charges of embezzlement.

Jesse Binns received the felony charge of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 from a non-profit or charitable organization. The charge was authorized by a special prosecutor assigned out of Kalamazoo County.

The criminal charge results from Binns’ employment as the assistant chief at Cass Central Fire Department. The Michigan State Police suspended Binns without pay in September 2018.

The MSP has a long-standing tradition of demanding the highest possible standards of professional conduct from its enforcement and civilian members, officials said. Binns will remain on suspension pending the outcome of the criminal matter.

Binns was released on a personal recognizance bond of $20,000 Tuesday.