Escalante officials have learned their sole police officer is facing four felony counts and four misdemeanors in offenses between 1991 and 1993.
Mayor Wade Barney said Wednesday that he had not known of the charges brought Feb. 6 against Police Chief Kent Robinson.Barney said he would meet with the City Council, which appointed Robinson in 1993, to discuss if action should be taken.
"I believe in backing people," Barney said. "I'm presuming he's innocent."
During part of the time specified in the court documents, Robinson was a member of a joint drug task force for Garfield and Kane counties. Garfield County has since pulled out of the task force.
The charges, filed in Kane County Justice Court in Kanab where the task force was headquartered, allege Robinson took $18,503 for his own use and also took a firearm worth $1,633 from the task force.
Robinson also faces felony charges of misusing public funds and stealing or destroying public documents and four Class B misdemeanors that allege falsifying of public records.
Robinson's first court appearance was scheduled for March 2, but was postponed until April 20.