A preliminary hearing has been continued to later this month for a former Keithsburg police officer charged with official misconduct and theft. 52-year-old Thomas Bennett of Seaton faces Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 felony counts stemming from his role with the City of Keithsburg. He is accused of receiving compensation for hours he did not actually work. State’s Attorney Grace Simpson asked for the continuance Tuesday in Mercer County Circuit Court, which was granted despite objections from Bennett’s attorney.
Bennett was arrested in July and posted ten percent of his $25,000 bond. In addition to working as a Keithsburg Police Officer, Bennett was also employed as a Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy. He has resigned from both positions. The preliminary hearing has now been scheduled for Oct. 24.
