Small community in shock after former police chief's arrest
HARTFORD, Mich. -- A shocking arrest made in Michigan on Wednesday; a former police chief facing nine charges related to misconduct.
Tress Beltran was arraigned in a PawPaw court Wednesday afternoon where it was alleged she was stealing, possessing, and dealing drugs while she was chief.
Residents of the small town are speechless.
“We don’t agree with what she did, but we still support her as a person,” says lifelong Hartford resident, Mike Rogers.
Beltran faces nine total charges; including embezzlement, extortion, larceny in a building, using a computer to commit a crime, misconduct in office, delivery or intent to deliver a controlled substance and three counts for possession of a controlled substance.
This all still comes as a surprise to the community of Hartford who say she was a well-known and well-liked public servant for 33 years.
“She was a person, which was great for us to see someone in uniform be a human and break down that barrier of the police versus us,” Rogers explains.
State officials say she misused her position of power.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel saying, “Members of law enforcement are expected to follow the law and not use their positions for illegal purposes.”
According to our reporting partners at WOOD-TV, Beltran reportedly admitted to stealing from the drug disposal box at the police department in Wednesday's arraignment.
Through an investigation, authorities say they found several prescription bottles and loose hydrocodone in her purse, as well as text exchanges with a supposed drug dealer.
Residents that know her closely say the news opened their eyes to the harsh reality of addiction.
“I think if anything, this should open the eyes of some people through all good and bad,” admits Rogers. “We all struggle with some of these problems, and if anything, this should bring awareness to it.”
Beltran resigned in January this year after being placed on administrative leave last June when her office was raided.