Ex-police worker sentenced

A former secretary in Tiffin Police Department's criminal division was sentenced to jail during a hearing in Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Kelbley's courtroom Wednesday afternoon. Holly M. England, 41, of Bascom, had pleaded guilty to charges of theft in office and tampering with records, both third-degree felonies. The theft occurred between Aug. 29, 2016, and June 29, and the money was taken from the Seneca County Drug Task Force — METRICH Enforcement Unit's evidence room at the police department. England was fired in June about a year and two months after she was hired at the police department. The police department and the drug task force had reported theft from the premises at 51 E. Market St. to Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification. Kelbley sentenced England to three years of community control and to 180 days in Seneca County Jail through its work release program. England repaid nearly $46,000. Prior to sentencing, England apologized to the city of Tiffin, the police department, the criminal division that trusted her, Chief Fred Stevens, family, friends and everyone she had disappointed and hurt. She said she had every intention of doing everything she can to make it right. Her attorney, Dean Henry, expressed appreciation for the city of Tiffin and for Detective Chuck Boyer, Stevens and Brent Howard, the city's law director, for assisting him in ensuring the city got back what it had lost. "We appreciate the state's recommendation in this matter," he said. Henry said England took full responsibility for what she did. "(She) has made restitution in full," he said.