Former Indiana State Police post commander gets 20-year sentence
Elkhart, Ind.
"A particularly troubling case,” those were the words used to describe former Indiana State Police Toll Road post commander Dallard Tackett's crimes during his sentencing Monday morning.
"A particularly troubling case,” those were the words used to describe former Indiana State Police Toll Road post commander Dallard Tackett's crimes during his sentencing Monday morning.
In November, Tackett pleaded guilty to six counts of forgery, one of official misconduct and ten of theft in the stealing of $91,396.62 in donated police funds.
In return, Judge Stephen Bowers of Elkhart County Superior Court 2 sentenced the 60-year-old to ten years in prison followed by another ten years of probation. That's significantly less than the prosecutor's recommended sentence of 25-years behind bars.
On the flip side, Tackett's defense attorney Michael Yoder argued his client shouldn't step foot in prison for a variety of reasons.
Yoder drew attention to Tackett’s clean criminal record; in addition to the 27-years of loyal service he gave the state before any wrongdoing took place. Yoder also addressed Tackett’s acceptance of all responsibility for his actions and his offer to pay the state back in full.
In response Judge Bowers said, "I’ve always felt one should not buy his or her way out of a potential sentence. Taking an oath needs to mean something. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to have meant enough to you.”
"I’d like to apologize to the court and my family for the devastation I’ve caused. I've always stepped-up and accepted responsibility for my actions and obviously I’ve made some poor ones and I swear to make it right,” Tackett said only minutes before court marshals took him into custody.
With good behavior, Tackett could be released from prison in three-to-five years. At that point, he’ll begin his court-ordered restitution of all monies stolen from the state. A large chunk of those funds will come from the sale of Tackett’s home in addition to his retirement fund.
Tackett’s wife, daughter, former troopers and defense attorney declined to comment about Monday’s sentencing