NATCHEZ — An Adams County grand jury has indicted local businessman and former Natchez Aldermen Theodore “Bubber” West on three counts of conversion.

West was originally arrested on the charges July 9 after the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest.

The conversion charges stem from a joint investigation between the attorney general’s office and the Office of the Mississippi Secretary of State and allege West inappropriately allocated funds he received through West Funeral Home for pre-need funeral accounts.

Conversion is a form of theft that occurs when one party is given an asset to be held, then converts that asset for personal use.

State law mandates at least 85 percent of pre-need funds be kept in trust.

The secretary of state maintains West’s pre-need account is at least $95,000 deficient.

West declined to comment on the matter and his attorney, Hal Dockins, could not be reached for comment.

If convicted on conversion charges, West could face up to 10 years in prison, and or up to $1,000 in fines for each count.

A representative with the attorney general’s office said no trial dates have been set.