Former Tunnel Hill police officer sentenced to 15 years for theft, violation of office

Former Tunnel Hill police officer, pleaded guilty today to stealing $37,000 out of the department's evidence room,

July 12, 2018

Scott Reneau, a former Tunnel Hill police officer, pleaded guilty today to stealing $37,000 out of the department's evidence room, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI arrested Reneau in March 2016, after Chief Roy Brunson told investigators that the money went missing. The cash was tied to traffic stops Reneau had made.

Today, according to the GBI, Reneau pleaded guilty to six counts of theft by taking and six counts of violation of office by a public official. He received a 15-year sentence, with five of those years to be served behind bars. He will also pay $37,000 in restitution. According to the news release, he will report to the Georgia Department of Corrections on Oct. 19.

Though the case was in Whitfield County Superior Court, Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Alan Norton was brought in as a special prosecutor from the outside. His judicial circuit covers nearby Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties.

According to Times Free Press archives, Reneau made a big drug bust In March 2009, when he pulled over a 2008 Honda Accord on Interstate 75 and found 207 pounds of marijuana inside.