The Kentwood, La., police chief surrendered Wednesday to Louisiana State Police on malfeasance and obstruction charges.
Chief Greg Newton, 59, was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on charges of malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice through the tampering of evidence. He was released after posting a $50,000 surety bond.
Newton came under investigation in December after a resident filed a complaint alleging that about $2,000 in currency had by mishandled by the police department.
The money was taken in a Kentwood home break-in and later recovered by Pike County officials.
Officials in Pike County recovered the money and sent the money to Kentwood police to be returned to the victim, Detective Davis Haygood said today.
Louisiana State Police investigators said Newton was the sole guardian of the evidence and was responsible for its misuse.
“I hate it for him. I hate it for the town. I’d rather not comment further but rather let the system run its course and make a determination,” Mayor Harold Smith told the Kentwood News Ledger.
