When contacted Monday evening, Kelly had just learned of the conviction and said he needed to review the case before making any decisions on Kerns’ employment.
The charge is a fourth-degree felony and carries a possible maximum sentence of six to 18 months in prison and a possible fine of up to $5,000, according to the Champaign County prosecutor.
Kerns couldn’t be reached for comment Monday evening. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 3 before Champaign County Common Pleas Judge Nick Selvaggio.
In court Monday Kerns admitted that he attempted to obstruct justice by destroying a letter written to him by murder suspect Christopher Myers, who is his relative.
Myers wrote a letter to Kerns from the Tri-County Regional Jail in Mechanicsburg in which he allegedly provided details about the death of his father, Jerald Myers, 65, of Urbana, during Memorial Day weekend.
He then called Kerns and reportedly said the letter could be used as evidence and he never should have written it, according to Champaign County Prosecutor Kevin Talebi.
After a search of his home by Urbana police on June 24, Kerns was indicted by a Champaign County grand jury in July.
Christopher Myers has been charged with 10 felony counts, including aggravated murder and multiple charges of murder, felonious assault and domestic violence. His case is still pending.
After Kerns entered his plea Monday, Talebi said he was satisfied that he accepted responsibility for his crime.
“Unfortunately, some members of the public will view Mr. Kerns criminal conduct as opportunity to disparage the reputation of law enforcement and specifically members of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office,” Talebi said in a statement announcing Kerns’ conviction. “I can state from personal experience that the case against Mr. Kerns is in no way representative of the many dedicated members of the law enforcement community who put themselves in harm’s way in order to seek justice, protect the public and serve our community.”
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