DeKalb County Road Department Superintendent Charged in Theft of County Equipment

Former superintendent accused of selling county-owned equipment for scrap and keeping more than $37,000 in proceeds

Photo: Timothy Joe Young, 60, of Pisgah. (Photo courtesy of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.)

TWLN Staff Writer | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News | Tuesday, August 18, 2026

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — A former DeKalb County Road Department superintendent has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree theft of property following an investigation into missing county-owned equipment, including a John Deere tractor.

According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, the DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit was contacted on August 12 by members of the DeKalb County Commission and the county administrator regarding a 1976 John Deere 4230 tractor that was discovered missing from the DeKalb County Road Department.

During the investigation, authorities identified Road Department Superintendent Timothy Joe Young, 60, of Pisgah, as a suspect in the alleged theft.

Investigators interviewed Young on August 13. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Young confessed to stealing the tractor, along with two trailers, a grid roller and other miscellaneous equipment belonging to the county.

Authorities said Young admitted selling the equipment for scrap and keeping the proceeds. Investigators determined that between December 2025 and July 2026, Young allegedly received more than $37,000 from the sale of the county-owned property.

Young resigned from his position with the DeKalb County Road Department on August 13.

Warrants were subsequently issued, and Young was arrested on August 14 on two counts of first-degree theft of property.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional charges could be pending.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden addressed the allegations and the responsibility entrusted to public employees.

“Anytime someone is a government employee, they’re placed in a position of trust. Mr. Young betrayed the trust placed in him by the Dekalb County Commission and the citizens of Dekalb County, and there should always be consequences for corrupt acts. I am thankful for the good working relationship our office has with the Dekalb County Commission and their quick reporting of the missing equipment,” Welden said.

The Weekly Ledger News will continue to follow this investigation and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

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