A former Cañon City police officer pleaded guilty Monday to one count of first-degree official misconduct, a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Under the plea agreement, Kevin Easter, 48, admitted to taking a blue tooth speaker, valued at $40, while executing a search warrant on a car when he was on duty as a drug task force officer in 2016.

Judge James Denvir of Pagosa Springs, a senior judge assigned to the case, sentenced Easter to one year of probation, an $800 fine, and useful public service, which will be to share his story with new officers.

Also as part of the agreement, one other charge of first-degree official misconduct was dismissed.

Denvir had the discretion to sentence Easter to up to six months in county jail.

“This isn’t the worst thing in the world, but the problem is it’s like a virus that affects the entire system,” he said.

The incident came to light when Easter was applying for a job with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and during a polygraph test, he disclosed potential criminal activity that had occurred while he was on the job.

“I’ve paid a huge price for my bad judgment,” Easter told the judge before sentencing Monday. “Serving my country and my community is something I’ve always taken pride in, that’s why my current situation is so embarrassing and humbling.”

He apologized for bringing shame and embarrassment to his friends and fellow law enforcement professionals and said his poor decision is one that he truly regrets.

He said there are different paths in life that people choose to take, and this was one that he “regrets deeply and will anguish over forever.”

Richard Wren, the investigator for the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, said during the polygraph, Easter said that while searching a car, he saw the speaker and told his partner that “he’d like to have one of those.”

“His partner told him to ‘go ahead and take it,'” Wren said.

District Attorney Molly Chilson said according to the internal investigation report, Easter changed his story and said he and his partner pulled the speaker out, played it and he accidentally put it in his backpack.

Wren said Easter also took two phone chargers from the same car.

After the revelation of this information, Cañon City Police Chief Daric Harvey requested an investigation by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, and the police department conducted an internal investigation, as well.

Easter was the only member of the CCPD accused in this administrative investigation, Harvey said in a press release issued in January.

Easter, who had been employed with the CCPD for 13 years, resigned prior to the completion of the administrative investigation.

County Attorney Brenda Jackson said Easter was employed at the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office from July 16 to Sept. 7 in 2018, but she said she is unable to release information about the reason for, or manner of, his separation from employment, citing that it’s protected confidential information by statute.

Chilson filed charges against Easter on Nov. 15.

Chilson argued Monday that answers to further alleged misconduct were never explored, and it’s unknown which case was involved in this incident, and how it was impacted because of Easter’s actions.

She said a punitive consequence should be issued for one who abuses their power and authority, and there should be a deterrent for others who think this behavior “isn’t a big deal.”

Five people spoke as character witnesses on behalf of Easter, including Pastor Jim Thulson of E-Free Church, Florence Police Chief Mike DeLaurentis, Lt. Shane Roberts of the Cañon City Fire Protection District, Russ Hickman of the Fraternal Order of Police, and a close family friend.

They described Easter as a devoted husband and dedicated father who has already paid a high price for one regretful mistake.

They all said that Easter has shown severe remorse.

“Until this incident, his entire persona was being a police officer,” Roberts said. “Kevin has had that taken away because of this mistake. He made a mistake, and the price he has paid has been dear.”

He said Easter has had to start over, creating a whole new life.

“I will always stand by Kevin Easter and his family,” DeLaurentis said. “Always.”

Denvir said what could deter others from violating public trust may be the $800 fine he imposed, a deterrent that could convince other officers that it’s not worth it to make a similar choice.

“This is a serious, serious matter,” he told Easter. “This is not picking on a police officer. This goes to the heart of what we do as public officials.”

But he said nothing will be accomplished by a jail sentence in this case.

“A mistake doesn’t define him,” said Easter’s attorney, Melissa Esquibel of Pueblo. “Kevin Easter is still an honorable man.”

Carie Canterbury: 719-276-7643, canterburyc@canoncitydailyrecord.com