LIMA, Ohio (AP) _ A former lawman in northwest Ohio admits he stole more than 30 guns that were supposed to be destroyed and sold some to unwitting fellow officers.
Retired Allen County, Ohio sheriff's sergeant Frederick DePalma Jr. pleaded guilty Thursday to 35 counts of theft in office and 24 counts of records tampering. The Lima News reports he could face decades in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 30.
The newspaper says DePalma admitted in court that he stole the weapons, nearly $12,000 and some electronics.
DePalma worked as a crime scene officer and collected and stored evidence for the agency.
He told the judge he kept a couple of the guns but sold most of them to fellow officers. He said he didn't tell them where he got the guns.
