Man on probation now accused of theft of firearm from previous employer

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. (KCTV) - A Chillicothe man on probation for the illegal use of a weapon has been charged again for the theft of a firearm from his old employer.

Livingston County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed Monday, April 28, indicate that Chase J. Fantazia, 34, of Chillicothe, has been charged in connection with the theft of a gun from his former employer.

A probable cause statement filed by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office revealed that around 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2024, law enforcement officials received a report that a handgun had been stolen from a home in a rural area of Chillicothe.

When first responders arrived, they said the victims reported they had left the home earlier that day and distinctly remembered seeing the gun beforehand. As they returned, they saw a truck they recognized as Fantazia’s. They said he had worked for them a few months prior but was let go in October as they had no more work for him.

Investigators noted that one of the victims reported he had called Fantazia, who admitted he had been at the house to pick up chicken feed they had given him; however, he had not been allowed on the property.

A witness told law enforcement officials that Fantazia told her he had stolen the gun as payment. He was not formally charged, however, until Monday when he was accused of burglary, stealing a firearm and unlawful possession of a gun.

At the time of the theft, investigators said they found Fantazia had been on probation for a felony conviction of unlawful use of a weapon.

If convicted, state statutes dictate that Fantazia could be sentenced to 24 years behind bars and be forced to pay a fine of up to $30,000. An arrest warrant was served on Tuesday and as of Sunday, May 4, he remains behind bars on a $12,500 bond.

A bond hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7. No further information has been released.

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