NEW MIAMI, Ohio \u2014 Former New Miami Police Chief Harold \u201cChip\u201d Webb was sentenced Monday, July 20 to 13 months in prison for his role in a case involving stolen evidence money and the attempted destruction of police evidence.<\/p>\n
Webb, 49, previously pleaded guilty to attempted tampering with evidence, a fourth-degree felony, and attempted theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.<\/p>\n
Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael A. Oster sentenced Webb to 13 months in prison and ordered him to pay $3,090 in restitution to the village of New Miami and $400 in fines. The misdemeanor carries a 180-day jail sentence, which will run concurrently with the prison term. Webb faced a maximum sentence of 18 months.<\/p>\n
Oster said he considered Webb\u2019s cooperation with investigators and his military service when imposing the sentence.<\/p>\n
As part of a plea agreement, Webb testified before a grand jury and during the trial of co-defendant Casey Gilpin.<\/p>\n
Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser previously cited Webb\u2019s cooperation and acceptance of responsibility as reasons for reducing the charges. Although Webb pleaded guilty to attempted offenses, Gmoser has said the facts show he was directly involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic trust is the victim in this case,\u201d Gmoser said Monday, describing the matter as a \u201cprocess crime\u201d involving the improper handling and disposal of evidence.<\/p>\n
Before sentencing, Webb apologized to village officials and residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was not my intent to fraud and deceive,\u201d he said. \u201cI made a very selfish decision. I have thought about that decision every day since then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oster said cases involving law enforcement officers are especially significant because of the public trust placed in them.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice departments and the justice system itself are in a very unique and specific position of public trust in the United States of America,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen a law enforcement officer violates that, it makes it difficult to trust in our justice system.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oster said many citizens question whether officials are held accountable when they break the law.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of our public when they hear no one\u2019s above the law, they quite frankly don\u2019t believe it,\u201d he said. \u201cThey think certain people are only entitled to a slap on the wrist.<\/p>\n
\u201cJustice will be for all. No one will be above the law.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the sentence was imposed, Webb was handcuffed and taken into custody.<\/p>\n