Sallisaw Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty To Larceny

Associated Press

SALLISAW, Oklahoma -- A Sallisaw police officer has pleaded not guilty to 31 counts of cattle rustling.

Wendel Don Hughes was arrested this week on livestock larceny charges. A joint investigation with the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department found 178 cattle had been stolen over a three-year period, and authorities say the cattle were sold in Hughes' name.

01/05/2011 Related Story: Sallisaw Police Officer Arrested For Stealing Then Selling Cattle

Sallisaw Police Chief Shaloa Edwards tells the Southwest Times Record that Hughes is on administrative leave without pay, pending the outcome of the case.

Edwards says that if Hughes is cleared, he'll likely go back to work, and if he is convicted, he'll face termination.

A case status conference is set for 9 a.m. on February 28, 2011.