Former Tama police chief convicted of lying to FBI and stealing police property

CEDAR RAPIDS - A former Tama police chief pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing and pawning a police service pistol and lying to an FBI agent during an investigation into missing police property.

Jeffrey Filloon, 47, of Toledo, who resigned from the Tama department in August 2015, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of making a false statement in May 2016 and one count of possessing, selling and disposing of a stolen firearm in August 2013.

During the plea hearing, Filloon admitted that while he was police chief, he made a false statement to the FBI when an agent was investigating the sale of four unclaimed vehicles that had been impounded at the police department and three stolen firearms.

In the plea agreement, Filloon admitted he took and sold the property from the department for his own gain.

Filloon faces up to 15 years in federal prison on both charges and up to a $500,000 fine. He also will pay $1,625 in victim restitution, as part of the plea agreement.

The other two charges - making a false statement and possessing or selling a stolen shotgun taken from evidence and sold - will be dismissed at sentencing, according to the plea.

Filloon remains free on conditions of release pending sentencing.

Filloon was appointed police chief in May 2013 and had been an officer since 2004. He also was a Toledo police officer before his time with Tama.

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