EX-POLICE CHIEF GETS 1 YEAR

PIKETON (AP) - A former police chief of this southern Ohio community has
been sentenced to one year in prison for stealing money and drugs from his
department.

Nathaniel Todd Boothe pleaded no contest to charges that he took marijuana
from the department's evidence room and smoked it in his office.

He also admitted to stealing about $600 from a department drug- enforcement
fund. He returned the money before he was charged with the crime.

He was sentenced Jan. 30.

Boothe's felony conviction for theft in office means he never can wear a
police badge again.

Boothe, 25, was chief in 1999 and 2000.

He is one of several Piketon officers who have broken the law in recent years.

In 1999, acting chief Timothy Blakeman and officer Jerry Seymour were
indicted on felony charges of theft in office and receiving stolen property
for allegedly stealing a light bar from a State Highway Patrol cruiser in
1998. They pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of obstructing official
business and received suspended jail sentences.

In 1987, Earl Johnson, another former chief, pleaded guilty to stealing
$1,494 from the department. He was placed on probation and was ordered to
repay the money.

Also in 1987, former acting chief Richard ''Pete'' Blakeslee was found
guilty of gross sexual imposition in a case involving a 9-year-old girl. He
was sentenced to one year in prison, but was released on probation after
three months.

Piketon is about 60 miles south of Columbus.