ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – A former police chief from southern Illinois pleaded guilty to corruption charges on Monday, admitting to selling several motorcycles that were forfeited to his department for personal gain.

Anson Fenton, 46, the former police chief for Wayne City, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of misapplication of property from federally funded programs and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

The motorcycles were acquired as part of an asset forfeiture process, a legal proceeding in which the government can seize property connected to a crime, including money, vehicles and real estate.

In Wayne City, forfeited property is stored at the police department until city officials pass an ordinance allowing for its sale, according to a news release from the United States Department of Justice.

As police chief, Fenton was responsible for securing, documenting and maintaining the property in the custody of the Wayne City Police Department.

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. Additionally, he admitted to driving the Suzuki over state lines to complete the sale from Wayne City to Alexandria, Virginia.

“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 via a news release. “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.”

“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.

After pleading guilty, Fenton could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 per charge. He has a sentencing hearing scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 30.