A former police chief could face up to 10 years in prison for taking two machine guns that were the property of the Taneytown Police Department and using them for his personal use.William Tyler, 55, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday. Tyler admitted he didn't register the weapons with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as required by law. He also admitted lying to the FBI. Today in a written statement, he apologized. With his attorney by his side, Tyler is preparing for his next day in court -- his sentencing. Tyler pleaded guilty to the unlawful transfer and possession of a machine gun, admitting to Judge Ellen Hollander, in Nov. 2017, that he transferred two Ruger .223-caliber machine guns. Investigators found one of them at Tyler's home in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, and the other at the home of a Taneytown officer. Both guns were owned by and registered to the Taneytown Police Department. Tyler never reported the transfers to the ATF in court, and he admitted lying to the FBI, telling agents he did not know the weapon found on his property was automatic and that he had never fired it. "Mr. Tyler entered a plea of guilty as a private citizen. He is no longer employed by the city of Taneytown as the police chief. He apologizes to the community and its hardworking citizens whom he has served for many years," said Tyler's attorney Robert Biddle.On Monday, Taneytown's mayor Jason McCarron announced a new leader for the police department saying, "Acting Chief (Jason) Etzler has been tasked with ensuring that departmental policies and procedures meet all applicable standards and that every officer in the department is equipped with all training and certification."The city will request the Maryland Police Training Commission conduct an audit of the Taneytown Police Department training records to ensure that best training practices are being followed." Biddle talked about what's next for Tyler. "Once he is sentenced and serves any punishment imposed by the court, he looks forward to spending time with his family, who have been supportive of him through this difficult time," said Biddle.Tyler's sentencing is set for June 14 at 2 p.m.

A former police chief could face up to 10 years in prison for taking two machine guns that were the property of the Taneytown Police Department and using them for his personal use.

William Tyler, 55, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday. Tyler admitted he didn't register the weapons with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as required by law. He also admitted lying to the FBI. Today in a written statement, he apologized.

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With his attorney by his side, Tyler is preparing for his next day in court -- his sentencing. Tyler pleaded guilty to the unlawful transfer and possession of a machine gun, admitting to Judge Ellen Hollander, in Nov. 2017, that he transferred two Ruger .223-caliber machine guns.

Investigators found one of them at Tyler's home in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, and the other at the home of a Taneytown officer. Both guns were owned by and registered to the Taneytown Police Department. Tyler never reported the transfers to the ATF in court, and he admitted lying to the FBI, telling agents he did not know the weapon found on his property was automatic and that he had never fired it.

"Mr. Tyler entered a plea of guilty as a private citizen. He is no longer employed by the city of Taneytown as the police chief. He apologizes to the community and its hardworking citizens whom he has served for many years," said Tyler's attorney Robert Biddle.

On Monday, Taneytown's mayor Jason McCarron announced a new leader for the police department saying, "Acting Chief (Jason) Etzler has been tasked with ensuring that departmental policies and procedures meet all applicable standards and that every officer in the department is equipped with all training and certification.

"The city will request the Maryland Police Training Commission conduct an audit of the Taneytown Police Department training records to ensure that best training practices are being followed."

Biddle talked about what's next for Tyler.

"Once he is sentenced and serves any punishment imposed by the court, he looks forward to spending time with his family, who have been supportive of him through this difficult time," said Biddle.

Tyler's sentencing is set for June 14 at 2 p.m.

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Former Taneytown Police Chief William Tyler pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machine gun. Sentencing is set for June 14th. — Barry Simms (@BarrySimmsWBAL) February 12, 2019

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.