Corey Allen, the assistant police chief in the small Metro East community of Centreville, has been indicted by a grand jury for making false statements to federal agents.
U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton says a federal grand jury found that Allen, 31, lied when he told investigators that he had not sold a gun to a convicted felon. The indictment alleges that Allen sold the felon, who has not been named, the gun in May, 2012.
"While it is never pleasant to prosecute a police officer, it is only by holding all law enforcement to the highest standards of conduct that I can assure the citizens of southern Illinois that they should have confidence and trust in their officers," Wigginton said in a statement.
Allen was placed on administrative leave last week, given the federal investigation. He couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday. Court records don't show whether he has an attorney. Allen - who's the former police chief in nearby Alorton - doesn't have a listed home telephone number.
Making a false statement to a federal law enforcement officer is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and not more than three years supervised release after prison.
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