HAMILTON — A Butler County judge sentenced the former New Miami police chief Thursday to probation for dereliction of duty.

        Standing before Judge Keith Spaeth, Duane Pelfrey read from a prepared statement, admitting that he failed to perform some duties as chief, but denying any intentional wrongdoing.

Pelfrey

        His statement began: “I'd like to apologize to the village of New Miami for letting them down in my administrative obligations. ...I was in over my head when it came to the property room.”

        He also alleged it was “in disarray when I took office.”

        Judge Spaeth said he considered Mr. Pelfrey, 36, an appropriate candidate for probation because he admitted his offense and because of his previous good record in law enforcement and his inexperience with administrative duties before becoming chief in January.

        The judge suspended a 90-day jail sentence on the condition that Mr. Pelfrey complete two years of probation. Mr. Pelfrey also must complete 40 hours of community service and pay a $250 fine plus court costs.

        “Good luck, sir,” the judge said.

        Mr. Pelfrey, who maintained his composure in the courtroom, reluctantly spoke to reporters afterward. With reddened eyes and a trembling voice, he said, “It's been a terrible feeling. It's been a sick feeling.”

        He said “bad management skills,” inexperience with supervisory duties, lack of manpower and a budget crunch contributed to his downfall, yet he hoped to get back into law enforcement some day.

        His lawyer, Lyn Cunningham, said the ex-chief is employed in construction. “He's actually out digging ditches these days to earn a living to support his family.”

        Mr. Cunningham said his client has been “extremely embarrassed” by the situation.

        Mr. Pelfrey had pleaded guilty to the second-degree misdemeanor July 12 for failing to properly inventory evidence.

        Critics had alleged that the chief may have improperly removed a gun from the property room, but Mr. Pelfrey on Thursday adamantly declared: “I never took anything from that property room.”

        Mr. Pelfrey's court appearance capped months of controversy in the village of about 2,500 just north of Hamilton.

        In April, five teens had been accused of conspiring to kill Mr. Pelfrey. But when that case fell apart in May, the teens' parents and others criticized the chief's handling of the investigation and other matters. That led to an investigation of the property room by the county sheriff's office.

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