Ex-deputy accused of stealing from police pleads not guilty

A former sheriff’s deputy in central Idaho accused of stealing from a police program intended to create positive relationships with local youths has pleaded not guilty.

The Idaho Mountain Express reports that 40-year-old Chad Schiermeier on Friday pleaded not guilty to six counts of felony misuse of public funds in 5th District Court in Hailey.

Authorities say Schiermeier stole money from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Department on several occasions between 2009 and 2015.

Police say Schiermeier worked as a resource officer at a middle school and organized the Police Activities League in the summer. The league works to prevent juvenile crime by creating good relationships with law enforcement.

Blaine County Sheriff Gene Ramsey says Schiermeier took money from the league.

The amount of money hasn’t been disclosed.

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Information from: Idaho Mountain Express, http://www.mtexpress.com