World Photo by Jolene Guzman Former Coquille police officer Randy Ulmer, middle, indicted on charges of first-degree theft and first-degree official misconduct appeared in court Wednesday with attorney Nick Nylander, right. Assistant District Attorney Shani Krumholz, left, represented the Coos County District Attorney’s office at the hearing.

COQUILLE — A Coos County grand jury indicted former Coquille police officer Randy Ulmer of first-degree theft and first-degree official misconduct charges.

Ulmer appeared in court Wednesday morning for a preliminary hearing, but no Coos County judges presided. Instead, retired Curry County Judge Richard K. Michelson was on the bench for the hearing carried over for a plea hearing on March 6. By that date either a plea agreement will be established or a trial date set. Ulmer’s attorney Nick Nylander said because his client worked as a law enforcement officer in Coquille, Coos County judges recused themselves.

The former police officer is accused of taking cash out of the Coquille Police Department’s evidence room. Ulmer was the officer in charge of evidence. He resigned on Nov. 21 after being questioned regarding inconsistencies in the handling of seized property. Ulmer had been with the department since 1999. The following Monday, Oregon State Police troopers arrested him.

Nylander said his client and Coos County District Attorney R. Paul Frasier will review findings in the investigation and try to work out a plea negotiation before March 6 to avoid a trial.

If the matter goes to trial and Ulmer is found guilty, he 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.

Frasier said while an agreement is possible in the case, so is a trial.

“If we reach an agreement, we will enter a plea,” he said. “If we don’t, we’ll set a trial date.”