Former Precinct 4 foreman Roy Teague has been charged with theft of more than $500 and less than $1,500 by a public servant, a state jail felony. The charge stems from the alleged sale of a scrapped pneumatic roller.

Prior to his retirement July 21, the 58-year-old worked under County Commissioner Terry Ross who was temporarily suspended without pay Aug. 14. Ross was indicted in May for tampering with government records and abuse of official capacity.

Teague was arrested by Texas Ranger James Hicks Tuesday evening and was booked into the Wise County Jail. He posted a $5,000 bond Wednesday.

According to the arrest affidavit, Teague told Ranger Hicks and Texas Ranger Jim Holland that he used a county haul truck and loader to remove a pneumatic roller that had been abandoned in a right-of-way after a road construction job several years earlier. Citizens had complained it was an “eyesore.”

The affidavit says Teague placed the roller in the Precinct 4 yard where it sat for about three years.

At some point, Teague contacted Rick Morales, who had the scrap metal contract with the county, to ask how much money the roller would bring. The affidavit says, “Morales quoted him $200 or $300. Teague allowed Morales to take the roller for scrap. Morales paid Teague approximately $700.”

Information in the affidavit says Hicks got a copy of a receipt from Rick’s Metal Recycling that showed Teague was paid $697 for the sale of scrap metal on Oct. 6, 2011.

The affidavit says “Teague spent the money on tires and an axle for a barbeque pit. Teague claimed to have $200 in his wallet.”

In the affidavit Ranger Hicks says Teague pulled two $100 bills from his wallet and said they were “proceeds” from the sale of the roller.

Teague told the Rangers that Commissioner Ross knew “I got paid for it, knew I sold it.” Teague explained that he and Ross had been planning to sell the roller.

According to the affidavit, Ross told the Rangers that the roller was sold as recycled metal, and the money was used to “purchase ribs for a party and paper plates.”

The affidavit says Ross and Teague told the Rangers that proceeds from all metals sold to Rick’s were to go through the Wise County treasurer’s office.

Ross was questioned as to why the money was not deposited into the county account and according to the affidavit, his response was “something to the effect that then we would not have been able to have a party.”