Wallace, released on a $10,000 bond. (Ken Caruthers/Rome News Tribune)
Barry Wallace, 40, of Cedartown, Georgia, was indicted on Friday by a federal grand jury on charges of stealing firearms while employed as a captain by the Polk County Police Department.
Wallace made his initial appearance and was granted $10,000 bond by a United States Magistrate Judge Friday afternoon.
United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, “The integrity of law enforcement officers, the vast majority of whom serve with great distinction, is essential to the administration of justice. Wallace used his position as captain in charge of the evidence room to steal guns from the evidence room that he either kept for himself or gave away to others. His actions were dishonest and dangerous to the community. We will continue to prosecute officers who violate the public trust.”FBI Special Agent in Charge Gregory Jones said:
"Public corruption investigations are an unpleasant but very vital tasking of our agency. Law enforcement officers are often faced with difficult decisions and presented with opportunities that might challenge their integrity and ethical foundations. While we, as members of the law enforcement community ourselves, understand this, we also understand the tremendous damage that can result, to include the public's loss of confidence, when an officer strays from those foundations."According to the indictment, from in or about April 2003 through July 2007, Wallace knowingly received, possessed, concealed, stored and disposed of twenty firearms that he knew were stolen. Information at Friday's hearing indicated that Wallace was demoted from Captain to Sergeant, and resigned the police department three months ago.
The indictment charges seven counts of stolen firearms. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Assistant United States Attorney Glenn D. Baker is prosecuting the case. This investigation is being handled by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to a Department of Justice statement.
