As Three Local Law Enforcers Begin Criminal Court Proceedings, Another Ends His With Guilty Plea

(Farmington) As three local law enforcement officers from Iron County begin their journey through criminal court, a former St. Francois County police chief was in St. Francois County criminal court on Friday, ending his criminal proceedings.

Former Leadwood Police Chief William Dickey had originally pleaded not guilty to the felonies of stealing of a firearm, explosive weapon or ammonium nitrate, tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution and hindering prosecution of a felony.

In January of 2021, Dickey was indicted by a St. Francois County grand jury.

While Leadwood police chief, Dickey had tampered with police evidence, hindered prosecution and he stole a firearm from the Leadwood Police Department’s evidence locker.

After charges were filed, Dickey was fired as police chief.

On Friday, Dickey changed his plea from not guilty to guilty in a plea offering from the prosecution to two lesser charges.

Dickey said he was guilty of a Class D felony of stealing and a Class E felony of tampering with physical evidence.

Judge Wendy Wexler-Horn then sentenced former Leadwood Police Chief William Dickey to just 5-years of supervised probation, 30 days of shock jail time and he was ordered to surrender his police officer’s license.