Former Allen County Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Evidence Theft

When the story first broke earlier this year, Sheriff Sam Crish wouldn’t
release the name of the employee at the center of an evidence
theft probe of the Allen County Sheriff’s Office. However, Crish did state
that only three Allen County employees had the combination to the evidence
room, one of whom was a sergeant who retired last November. Just before
the news of the criminal investigation broke, Crish terminated that employee’s
status as a special deputy (after retirement, he stayed on in special
deputy status).

The former sergeant had been employed at the Allen County Sheriff’s
Office for 27 years. His most recent job duties at the office involved
collecting, documenting, and shooting photos of evidence.

In April, the investigating agency released information about what was
stolen, which included more than 30 guns and nearly $12,000. In response
to the charges, he pleaded innocent to all 112 counts in the indictment
originating from 35 separate incidents.

Today, he pleaded guilty to 59 of the original 112 counts. He faces a possible
109 years in prison. The defendant was represented by Attorney Brad Koffel.

For more on this story as it progressed, visit articles published in The
Lima News:

• Sheriff’s Theft Probed – 2/3/15
• Many Questions After Theft from Sheriff’s Office – 4/22/15
• Retired Sergeant Pleads to Stealing from Allen County’s Property
  Room – 8/20/15