A former police chief from Wayne City has admitted to corruption charges in a federal court. Anson Fenton, aged 46 and residing in Belle Rive, confessed to one count of misapplication of property from federally funded programs and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft expressed the need for action in such cases, stating, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office strongly supports our police, but we must take decisive action when things like this happen.” He added that Fenton used his position as police chief to misappropriate city resources for personal use, breaching the trust of the community.
Asset forfeiture, the legal process employed to confiscate proceeds or means from a crime, involves various items. In Wayne City, forfeited items are stored at the Wayne City Police Department until an ordinance allows their sale. Fenton, as police chief, held the duty to manage and safeguard this property.
Brendan F. Kelly, Director of the Illinois State Police, emphasized that the law applies to everyone, remarking, "No one is above the law, especially those charged with upholding the law." The state police are working with law enforcement partners to maintain public trust.
Court documents revealed that Fenton sold two motorcycles—a 2017 Harley-Davidson and a 2000 Harley-Davidson—obtaining more than $5,000 without consent from the Wayne City Board of Trustees. He also traded a 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle for a 1991 Ford Mustang, conducting the transaction across state lines from Wayne City to Alexandria, Virginia.
Fenton faces potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines reaching $250,000 per charge. His sentencing is set for July 30 at 10:30 a.m. in East St. Louis.
The investigation is being led by the Illinois State Police, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard prosecuting the case.