Ex-chief pleads guilty to using evidence items

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A former southern Illinois police chief has pleaded guilty to official misconduct for removing an Apple iPod and Apple iPad from the department's evidence locker for personal use.

Former New Athens Chief Dallas Hill was sentenced Thursday to 18 months' probation. Though the 27-year-old Hill won't report to a probation officer, the felony conviction bars him from being a police officer and carrying a gun.

Hill and his lawyer, Van Lear Eckert, declined to comment after the sentencing.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports (http://bit.ly/Zvmp62) authorities learned of the theft from an anonymous tip to the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, which investigated.

In addition to working full-time for New Athens, Hill worked part-time in Lenzburg. Police Chief Skip Mize says Hill was relieved of his duties immediately after being charged.

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Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, http://www.bnd.com