Fire truck racing to the emergency scene. File Photo

ST. LOUIS, MO — A Missouri firefighter could be sentenced to up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to the theft and misuse of a credit card from a crash victim. Arnold Britt, 41, admitted to receiving stolen property and fraudulent use of a credit/debit device, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced.

Britt entered his guilty plea on Tuesday. Prosecutors have recommended a five-year prison term for the stolen property charge and a one-year term for the fraud charge, to be served concurrently. The sentencing is set for September 6.

The incident that led to Britt’s charges occurred in February 2023, when he responded to a tragic accident near Saint Louis University. The crash, which resulted in four fatalities, involved a vehicle that fell from an overpass. During the response, Britt stole a credit card from 18-year-old Seven Robinson, a surviving victim.

Robinson, who was celebrating his birthday on the day of the accident, reported his wallet missing to the police, initially suspecting a police officer had taken it. The wallet contained approximately $700. However, body camera footage later revealed that Britt took the wallet under the pretense of retrieving Robinson’s ID and subsequently used the credit card to purchase gas, a car wash, and other items totaling about $120.

Britt, formerly praised by the St. Louis Fire Department and a previous University of Missouri wide receiver, now faces the consequences of his actions as his sentencing approaches.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.