Former Wayne City police chief pleads guilty to corruption charges
WAYNE CO., Ill. (WFIE) - A former Wayne City police chief was in federal court Monday, where officials say he admitted to selling items confiscated by the department for his personal benefit.
As we reported in November, 46-year-old Anson Fenton was charged with one count of misapplication of property from federally funded programs and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.
He pleaded guilty to both charges.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office strongly supports our police, but we must take decisive action when things like this happen,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “By taking unauthorized possession of forfeited property for his personal benefit, the defendant used his position of trust as police chief to deceive the community he was sworn to protect.”
According to court documents, Fenton sold two motorcycles, a 2017 Harley-Davidson and a 2000 Harley-Davidson, valued at more than $5,000 and kept the proceeds without authorization from the Wayne City Board of Trustees.
He also traded one 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle for a 1991 Ford Mustang for his personal benefit.
He admitted to driving the Suzuki over state lines to complete the sale from Wayne City to Alexandria, Virginia.
For the charges, Fenton could face up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 per count.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 30.
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