A man hired to keep watch over inmates will now be locked up with them. Former Eaton County Corrections officer, Allan Coker, was sentenced to 30 days in jail Thursday for stealing from inmates.
The 43-year-old stole small amounts of cash from prisoners for several years as they were being booked. The total confirmed to date is $87.
The Eaton County Prosecutor says the first inmate complained about missing money back in 2015. But it wasn't until 2016, that a corrections Sergeant spotted Coker counting the cash of an inmate who was just booked, but didn't log the money onto the inmate's file. When questioned, the prosecutor says Coker admitted he had done this several times since 2012.
Coker pleaded guilty in March to embezzlement.
Eaton County Prosecutor Douglas Lloyd says: "This is an important case for everyone connected to the criminal justice system, particularly our Sheriffs department and its corrections officers. The public relies on each of them to safe keep inmates' personnel effects, especially their money. What Allan Coker did could have rocked a foundation of trust needed in order for corrections officers to control the jail population."
In addition to the jail time, Coker also received two years probation, 100 hours of community service, and must repay the $87 dollars he stole. He also had to surrender his State of Michigan corrections officer certificate.
