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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A Utah Department of Corrections officer is facing criminal charges after allegedly pocketing a wallet found in a grocery store.
Utah County prosecutors charged 48-year-old Rick J. Nichols with one count of third-degree felony theft. The charge is punishable by up to five years in the state prison, where Nichols is employed.
Corrections department officials say Nichols is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
Police say a surveillance camera caught Nichols, stilled dressed in his prison uniform, taking the wallet from a drink stand at a Saratoga Springs store. The wallet was later found in a mail box, but was missing $1,140.
Nichols turned himself in and returned the cash after being identified from the tape.
A court hearing is set for June 27.
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Information from: Deseret Morning News
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
