Former Polk County Sheriff Chris
Abril was arrested Saturday and charged with theft and unlawful use of a credit
card, according to court records.</p><p>Abril, 50, of 76 Sims St.,
Columbus, has been charged with one count of possession of stolen goods, one
count of identity theft, one count of unlawfully obtaining a credit card and
obtaining property by false pretenses.</p><p>According to arrest
warrants, Abril was in possession of a stolen credit card that belonged to
Melanie Taylor and was issued from the State Employees Credit Union. The
warrants say Abril made several purchases of fuel and other goods with the
card, which was stolen from Taylor's home when she wasn't
there.</p><p>Abril is said to have used the card to purchase gas at
the Roadrunner Shell station in Columbus.</p><p>The crimes occurred
between March 21 and April 19, according to the
warrants.</p><p>Abril was placed in the Polk County jail in lieu of
$32,000 secured bond. He posted bond Saturday and was released, according to
officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office.</p><p>He had his
first appearance in Polk County District Court Monday and indicated he would
hire his own attorney. His next court date is scheduled for June
6.</p><p>Abril's legal troubles began six years ago, while he was a
candidate for Polk County sheriff. He was arrested Aug. 28, 2006, and charged
with five counts of first-degree statutory rape and one count of first-degree
sexual offense stemming from incidents in 1988 and 1989 involving girls who
were 10 and 12 at that time, according to court
records.</p><p>Shortly after resigning his position as sheriff, on
Nov. 18, 2008, Abril pleaded guilty to two counts of soliciting indecent
liberties with minors and was sentenced to five years' probation, three of
which were to be supervised, and 120 days of house
arrest.</p><p>While on probation in October 2009, Abril was stopped
by the Polk County Sheriff's Office along U.S. Highway 176 after he left Elmo's
Pub and Grill in Tryon. He was charged with DWI and his license was revoked,
according to court records.</p><p>Abril was also charged with
misdemeanor larceny for stealing alcohol from the restaurant, court records
state.</p><p>In July 2010, Abril was found guilty of violating his
probation after he was convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2009
Shortly after resigning his position as sheriff, on Nov. 18,
2008, Abril pleaded guilty to two counts of soliciting indecent liberties with
minors and was sentenced to five years' probation, three of which were to be
supervised, and 120 days of house arrest.
While on probation in October 2009, Abril was stopped by the
Polk County Sheriff's Office along U.S. Highway 176 after he left Elmo's Pub
and Grill in Tryon. He was charged with DWI and his license was revoked,
according to court records.
Abril was also charged with misdemeanor larceny for stealing
alcohol from the restaurant, court records state.
In July 2010, Abril was found guilty of violating his
probation after he was convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2009.