Former Kress City Secretary Indicted for Theft

Indictment follows multi-year investigation into financial irregularities during her tenure

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A former city secretary of Kress, Texas has been indicted by a Swisher County Grand Jury on a third-degree felony charge of theft by public servant. The indictment comes after a multi-year investigation by state and local law enforcement agencies into financial irregularities that occurred during the former secretary's tenure.

Why it matters

The indictment of a public official for theft of taxpayer funds is a serious matter that erodes public trust in local government. The City of Kress has pledged to be transparent and accountable in its operations going forward.

The details

Heidi Tiffin was charged with the third-degree felony following the investigation into financial irregularities that occurred during her time as Kress city secretary. The indictment was handed down by a Swisher County Grand Jury, which determined there was enough evidence to charge Tiffin with the crime.

  • The indictment was announced on February 11, 2026.

The players

Heidi Tiffin

A former city secretary of Kress, Texas who has been indicted on a third-degree felony charge of theft by public servant.

Johnny Taylor

The mayor of Kress, Texas, who stated the city remains committed to transparency and accountability in the wake of the indictment.

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What they’re saying

“The City of Kress remains committed to transparency, accountability, and upholding the trust of our residents. We are cooperating fully with the ongoing legal process and will take all necessary steps to ensure the integrity of our municipal operations.”

— Johnny Taylor, Mayor of Kress, Texas (myplainview.com)

What’s next

The case will now move into the arraignment process, where Tiffin will have the opportunity to enter a plea.

The takeaway

This indictment highlights the importance of strong financial controls and oversight in local government to prevent abuse of public funds. The City of Kress has pledged to restore trust through transparency and accountability going forward.