Former Arvin chief receives probation

It turns out that Arvin's former police chief won't have to spend any time in jail for a charge of misdemeanor grand theft.

Instead, a superior court judge on Monday ruled Rande Scott Eighmy, 43, must serve three years of probation for altering and cashing a $6,000 check drawn on the city's parking administration account.

Eighmy, who declined to comment Monday, doesn't have to report to a probation officer. He reportedly used half the check's amount to buy a truck for his son and pocketed $500 for himself.

"This is the outcome we all prayed for," defense attorney Kyle Humphrey said. "This is a man of strong faith who made a terrible mistake in judgment, regretted it ever since, and just wants to get on with his life and support his family. Rande and his wife have their lives back. The fear of being in jail for a terrible mistake is gone and we now have a productive member of the community back. The judge did absolutely the right thing."

The former police chief was ordered by Superior Court Judge Stephen Gildner to pay a $100 fine. Deputy District Attorney Michael Yraceburn said Eighmy has already repaid $3,000 in restitution. Humphrey said the payment was completed days after a grand jury indictment was delivered in April.

"The judge made his call," Yraceburn said. "We had joined with the probation department and requested 30 days in jail. But the judge made his independent decision, which is what he was supposed to do."

Humphrey said Eighmy will not try to resume a career in law enforcement.

"I think he no longer desires to be in law enforcement," Humphrey said. "I think that in our sue-happy country it would be dangerous for any law enforcement agency to ever hire someone who had any problems."

Eighmy originally faced a felony charge of grand theft, but pleaded no contest in June to a reduced charge of misdemeanor grand theft.

"The judge's sentencing in this case was absolutely appropriate," Humphrey said. "This man does not belong in jail. He made a terrible mistake that he's regretted ever since. He never intended to steal."

Humphrey said Eighmy got caught up in the political wrangling that's dominated Arvin government of late.

Two other cases involving Arvin are pending in Kern County Superior Court:

* In May, a mistrial was declared in the embezzlement case against Councilman Julio Perez. A hearing in the second trial is scheduled for September.

* On July 9, Taft contractor Richard Ketola pleaded guilty to a charge of grand theft for billing the city of Arvin for work that was never completed. Sentencing is set for Aug. 30 and Ketola faces a potential sentence of a year in jail and three years' probation.

Eighmy, ironically, was the one who had contacted the district attorney's office regarding allegations of corruption in Arvin.

Weeks before Eighmy was indicted, he told city officials he did not wish to renew his contract, which expired this summer. Shortly after the announcement, Eighmy was placed on administrative leave by the city. Ed Williams, a former San Luis Obispo County sheriff, was appointed interim police chief by the City Council