Former Graysville, Tenn., police chief Jason Erik Redden pleaded guilty today in Rhea County Circuit Court to two counts of official misconduct stemming from a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe launched in 2013.
Redden was booked in June 2014 on indictments charging him with seven counts of official misconduct, two counts of theft over $1,000 and one count of theft under $500, the Times Free Press reported last summer.
12th Judicial District Attorney General Mike Taylor said Thursday that Redden pleaded guilty to two counts of official misconduct while the remaining charges were dismissed.
During the investigation, TBI agents developed information that Redden, while working as chief of the Graysville Police Department, sold, took for himself, or returned to the original owner three of the department's seized vehicles. The investigation also revealed $4,128 in missing seized money or money paid to the department for towing and storage, for which the chief was responsible.
Taylor said because of the guilty plea, Redden's days as a police officer are likely over.
"By pleading guilty to that charge, he's prohibited from holding public office," Taylor said. "That can not be expunged."
At a sentencing hearing set for May 5 before Circuit Court Judge Thomas Graham, Redden could seek a judicial diversion but Taylor said his office would fight against such an effort.
The counts Redden pleaded guilty to are class E felonies and carry a potential sentence for a range one offender of one to two years in prison, Taylor said.
The sentence will be based on a presentencing report submitted to Graham and any evidence presented during the May 5 hearing.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton atbbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBentonor www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.