Ali M. Summers Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois
A former police chief from Southern Illinois confessed in a federal court to abusing his position for personal gain by selling and trading confiscated items. Anson Fenton, aged 46 and hailing from Belle Rive, faced charges of misapplication of property from federally funded programs and interstate transportation of stolen property.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft emphasized the gravity of the offense: "The U.S. Attorney’s Office strongly supports our police, but we must take decisive action when things like this happen. 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 confiscation of assets is a legal measure aimed at seizing materials related to a crime, which may include cash, vehicles, and real estate among others. Items are stored by Wayne City authorities until their sale is legally sanctioned.
Fenton violated his duties by selling two Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a 2017 and a 2000 model, valued collectively over $5,000, and retaining the proceeds unauthorized by the Wayne City Board of Trustees. Besides, he admitted to trading a 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle for a 1991 Ford Mustang to benefit himself personally and transported the Suzuki across state lines from Wayne City to Alexandria, Virginia.
According to Brendan F. Kelly, Director of the Illinois State Police, "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."
Fenton's potential penalties include imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines amounting to $250,000 for each charge. His sentencing is scheduled for July 30 at 10:30 a.m. in the federal courthouse located in East St. Louis.
Wayne City is a community within Wayne County, part of the Southern District of Illinois. The investigation is headed by the Illinois State Police, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard leads the prosecution.
