JeffLanzbookingmug.jpg

The Linn County Sheriiff's Office n Albany posted these booking photos of Jeff R. Lanz on its inmate website. Lanz, a former Oregon State Police captain, reported to jail to serve a three-day sentence after pleading guilty to official misconduct.

(Linn County Sheriff's Office)

A commander considered a rising star at the Oregon State Police gave up his badge for jail togs Thursday after pleading guilty to first-degree official misconduct.

Jeff R. Lanz, 39, watched his law enforcement career evaporate with his plea in Linn County Circuit Court in Albany. He is only the second high-ranking State Police officer in the agency's history to be convicted of a crime.

He resigned Wednesday as the captain in charge of OSP's Office of Professional Standards, which handles internal affairs investigations. He was paid $90,600.

In court, he pleaded guilty to misusing a state-issued fuel card to gas up his personal vehicle last October. He was sentenced to three days in jail and probation for a year. He surrendered to the jail within hours of his guilty plea.

He also will lose his certification as a police officer.

"He's not going to be able to work in law enforcement again," said Eriks Gabliks, director of the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Gabliks said Lanz faces an automatic lifetime ban because of the conviction.

The plea was a rapid resolution of the case, prosecuted by George Eder, Linn County deputy district attorney. Less than 60 days passed from the opening of the investigation to the plea. OSP issued a statement announcing the resignation and plea but didn't otherwise comment.

"The case began when an on-duty state trooper saw Lanz fueling his family vehicle at a commercial fueling station regularly used for OSP vehicles. That trooper reported it to superiors," Eder said in an email.

Lanz joined the State Police in 1999 after service in the U.S. Army. He was the lieutenant of OSP's outpost at Oregon State University in July 2011 when he was put in command of the Office of Professional Standards. He was promoted to captain a year later, known within the agency for integrity in executing the job of investigating fellow State Police employees.

He was put on administrative leave April 29 when OSP opened a criminal investigation into the thefts. Lanz was subsequently charged with six counts of first-degree official misconduct, punishable by up to a year in jail, and six counts of third-degree theft, punishable by up to 30 days in jail. He was accused of stealing gas on six occasions from last October through April. All but one charge was dismissed at Thursday's hearing.

The day before, he paid restitution of $485.19 for all six instances.

Mike Staropoli, Lanz's attorney, said in an interview after Thursday's proceeding that Lanz apologized in court for his conduct and made no excuses.

"He indicated he was deeply sorry for his actions," Staropoli said.

Staropoli said Lanz accepted responsibility for the thefts from the opening of the investigation. He said Lanz "was in the midst of several personal and family disasters recently. None of that provides in any way excuses for his decisions."

Staropoli said family health issues and financial pressures were part of the mix.

Linn County Circuit Court records show that Lanz has been sued five times in the past 10 years for unpaid debts, including medical bills. All but one suit was dismissed, but in 2004 he was ordered to pay $2,800 to an Albany furniture store.

Staropoli said he has represented OSP employees facing internal investigations, putting him across the table from Lanz in recent years.

"He is one of the finest human beings that I have dealt with in law enforcement," Staropoli said.

Lanz's charge was a shock to those in law enforcement who knew him. OSP hasn't faced a similar situation for more than 20 years.

Robert R. Moine, a major, was the first commander to be convicted since OSP was founded in 1931. Moine was indicted in 1991 for bribery and official misconduct for taking gifts from those leasing office space to OSP. Moine was in charge of the leasing. He was sentenced to probation and fined $20,000.

Lanz will be treated like other inmates when he reports to the Linn County Jail, trading street clothes for a tan jail jumpsuit. He won't be housed with the general jail population.

"We would keep him segregated," said Capt. Todd Vian, the jail commander.

-- Les Zaitz