THEFT/FRAUD ARREST - K. KIRKLAND

DEFENDANT:      Kody A. Kirkland (32 years of age)
                             Kutztown, PA 19530

Kody Kirkland

ADDITIONAL DEFENDANTS:      Rudy L. Kirkland (55 years of age)
                                                       Ashland, PA
                                                       Tyler J. Gabello (25 years of age)
                                                       Lebanon, PA

Ruby Kirkland


Tyler Gabello

CHARGES:     Identity Theft (F1)
                       Forgery (F3)
                       Unsworn Falsification to Authorities (M2)
                       Theft by Deception (F3)
                       Receiving Stolen Property (F3)


DETAILS OF INCIDENT:

In December of 2024, the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives initiated a criminal investigation into fraudulent activity involving the SOR (State Opioid Response) Rental Assistance Program, managed by Berks County Treatment Access and Services Center, Inc. (TASC). It was alleged that rental assistance applications were being fraudulently submitted to TASC and as a result, proceeds from this program were being sent to individuals purporting to be landlords of properties which qualified for this financial assistance program. It was reported that approximately $14,000 had been lost because of this fraudulent activity.

The investigation revealed that between October and November of 2024, three fraudulently obtained checks, each between $4,000 and $5,000, were issued by TASC for rental assistance. It was discovered that one of these checks was made payable directly to Kody Kirkland, while another was made payable to his mother, Ruby Kirkland. A third check was made payable to an associate of the defendant, Tyler Gabello. The investigation determined that Kody Kirkland and Gabello split the proceeds from this third check.

The investigation concluded that Kody Kirkland had fraudulently completed and submitted the rental assistance applications, created fictitious pay stubs and other documentation in support of these applications, and ultimately received most of the stolen proceeds after these checks were cashed.

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Kody Kirkland was charged with multiple counts of Identity Theft, Forgery, Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, Theft by Deception, and Receiving Stolen Property. A warrant of arrest was issued for K. Kirkland by Magisterial District Judge Alvin B. Robinson.

On Monday, May 5, 2025, Ruby Kirkland and Tyler Gabello were charged with Theft by Deception and Receiving Stolen Property. After surrendering to authorities, both subjects were arraigned and released on unsecured bail.

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the defendant was located and apprehended in Thomasville, Georgia by members of the Thomas County (GA) Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the defendant was returned to Berks County by members of the Berks County Sheriff’s Department. Later, he was preliminary arraigned by a Magisterial District Judge and bail was set at $10,000. Subsequently, he was committed to Berks County Jail in lieu of bail.

As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or that a criminal complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.