The former Coquille police officer accused of taking cash out of the department’s evidence room was to appear in Coos County Circuit Court this morning.

The Coos County District Attorney’s Office issued a press release Tuesday afternoon saying it officially filed charges of first-degree theft, a felony, and first-degree official misconduct, a class-A misdemeanor, against Randy Ulmer. The 33-year-old appeared before Judge Martin Stone this morning for an arraignment hearing.

The DA’s office said the first-degree theft charge relates to the theft of more than $5,000 cash from the Coquille Police Department evidence locker. The official misconduct charge relates to allegations Ulmer took cash from the locker and obtained and used funds from at least one police department checking account.

If found guilty, Ulmer could receive a sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $125,000 on the theft charge and a maximum one-year sentence and/or a fine of up to $6,250 on the official misconduct charge.

The DA filed the charges after reviewing an Oregon State Police report of the investigation so far, the release said. The investigation is ongoing, OSP Lt. Steve Smartt said Tuesday.

Ulmer, the officer in charge of evidence in the department’s possession, resigned on Nov. 21 after being questioned regarding inconsistencies in the handling of seized property. He had worked there since 1999. The following Monday, OSP troopers arrested Ulmer.

Coquille Police Chief Mark Dannels said the investigation so far indicates only one member of the department was involved.

Ulmer’s arrest prompted the department to ask outside law enforcement agencies to assist with an audit of the evidence room. The audit should be finished sometime next week, Dannels said, after which the department will implement changes to the procedures used to check in and hold seized property. Dannels said he is considering creating an automated check-in system in addition to the written system.

“Obviously we need better checks and balances,” Dannels said.

The department already has changed its cash handling policy. Dannels said an account has been set up to hold seized money. Officers will turn any cash over to the city recorder, who will be responsible for depositing and keeping track of all money. The system would eliminate the need for officers to handle cash once it is checked in.

“Money shouldn’t be sitting in an evidence room,” Dannels said.