WAYNE CITY, Ill. (WSIL) -- A former police chief in one southern Illinois city pleaded guilty to one count of misapplication of property from federally funded programs and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, according to the United States Attorney’s Office ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý District of Illinois.
A representative with the US Attorney's Office said Anson Fenton, 46 of Belle Rive, was in court on Monday and admitted to selling forfeited items which were confiscated by their department for his personal benefit.
“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.�
The U.S. Attorney's Office breaks down what an asset forfeiture is...
Asset forfeiture is a legal process to confiscate the means or proceeds of a crime and can apply to money, vehicles, real estate and more. Wayne City stores forfeited items at the Wayne City Police Department until city officials pass an ordinance to authorize the sale of the property.
Fenton, as his position as a police chief at the time, was stated to be responsible for safeguarding, documenting and preserving property while it was in the custody of the Wayne City Police Department, authorities reported.
"No one is above the law, especially those charged with upholding the law, and the Illinois State Police will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement at all levels to protect the public's trust," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
Fenton sold two motorcycles, a 2017 Harley-Davidson and a 2000 Harley-Davidson, both valued at more than $5,000, according to court documents. Fenton reportedly kept the money without authorization from the Wayne City Board of Trustees.
The U.S. Attorney's Office also mentioned he traded a 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle for a 1991 Ford Mustang and admitted to driving the Suzuki to Alexandria, Virginia for the sale.
Fenton could face up to 10 years in prison as a sentence for these charges, along with fines up to $250,000 per each charge.
He has a sentencing hearing at 10:30 a.m. on July 30, 2025, at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis.
