A former Troutville Volunteer Rescue Squad captain pleaded guilty today to embezzling nearly $10,000 from the organization.

Stacy L. Tanaka, 34, was ordered to pay back the money he took throughout a two-year period, Botetourt County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jill Deegan said. A second count of embezzlement was dropped, but could be reinstated.

Botetourt County Circuit Court Judge Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo handed down a 5-year suspended sentence. Tanaka will also be on probation for two years.

The Troutville man was indicted on the charges in December following a five-month investigation by Virginia State Police. The investigation also found that the rescue squad’s former treasurer, Elizabeth L. Falls, 28, had embezzled about $30,000 in four years. Neither Tanaka nor Falls apparently knew what the other was doing, Deegan has said.

Falls was indicted in December on four counts of embezzlement. Her trial is scheduled for March 18.

Tanaka and Falls resigned their positions after an internal investigation, which began after the squad found discrepancies in its accounts.

Both former members had access to the organization’s bank accounts and credit cards.

Tanaka’s attorney, Michael Massey, did not immediately return a message.