ADAIR, Iowa — Adair's police chief has been demoted to a part-time position in the department, just two weeks after he was federally convicted for lying to acquire machine guns, which he then sold for profit.
On Feb. 15, a jury convicted 47-year-old Adair Police Chief Brad Wendt of conspiring to make false statements to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, illegal possession of a machine gun and making false statements to the agency.
The Adair City Council, which reinstated Wendt last January after initial charges were filed, voted on Monday to demote him to a part-time position and unpaid leave until his sentencing has finished.
Councilperson Paul Gettler motioned for his demotion and Jade Irlmeier seconded it. All of the city officials present voted in favor.
Federal prosecutors claim Wendt made nearly $80,000 by selling machine guns he illegally obtained to civilians since his tenure began in 2018.
In a Feb. 15 statement, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said:
“In a stark abuse of the position of trust he held, Brad Wendt exploited his position as chief of police to unlawfully obtain and sell guns for his own personal profit. When so many law enforcement officers in our country are working to protect our communities and uphold the law, Brad Wendt did exactly the opposite."
His sentencing is scheduled for June 14, and he faces up to 10 years in prison.
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