By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

WAKEENEY — Terry Eberle, the former WaKeeney police chief, will serve 12 months probation after pleading guilty Monday to official misconduct/perjury.

Eberle initially was charged with 10 different felony counts that included two perjury counts and making false information.

The charges stem from testimony by Eberle in which he claimed not to have recorded conversations and interviews on several occasions.

Under the sentencing guidelines, Eberle faced 18 months of probation on the official misconduct charge, but the judge agreed to a downward departure of 12 months.

In court documents filed Monday in court, Trego County Attorney Chris Lyon presented testimony from the 2014 case of the State of Kansas v. Scott Bollig, in which Eberle said he did not record an interview with Bollig.

But, according to testimony from a Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent, evidence of a recording either made by Eberle or that he was aware of was found.

There were cases in 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2014 where Eberle was present while interviews were being conducted and recorded with a webcam.

The diversion agreement is for five years but, if Eberle is convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or traffic infraction during that time, he could face additional penalties on the perjury charge.

Under the plea, Eberle is also not allowed to run for public office or work in law enforcement.