Wagner police chief arrested

WAGNER — Wagner’s police chief has been arrested and charged with misprision of a felony.

Jim Chaney allegedly had knowledge of someone who committed a felony offense and either concealed his knowledge or did not immediately report it to authorities.

The state Division of Criminal Investigation arrested Chaney last Wednesday. He was released from jail on a bond that will require him to forfeit $1,000 if he fails to show up for court appearances.

Court documents obtained Wednesday by The Daily Republic following a reader’s tip accuse Chaney of committing the crime between Jan. 1 and March 31. If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, he could face up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Sara Rabern, a spokeswoman for the DCI, said she believes the felony that Chaney allegedly failed to report was a drug-related crime. No further information about that crime was immediately available Wednesday afternoon.

Numerous calls to Wagner city officials were not returned Wednesday. City Attorney Ken Cotton declined to comment except to say “it’s a personnel matter.”

An employee at the Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office said Wagner Police Officer Tim Simonsen has been named acting chief of police, but The Daily Republic could not confirm that information.

Wagner City Council minutes on the city’s website state that Chaney was retained as police chief as part of the mayor’s annual appointments July 2.

Chaney applied for a court-appointed attorney, and Magistrate Judge Pat Kiner has appointed George Johnson, of Gregory.

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