PHOENIX -- Apache County Sheriff Brian Hounshell has pleaded guilty to a felony charge and agreed to resign from office Thursday.
Hounshell was facing 11 felony charges including conspiracy, misuse of public funds, fraud and theft. But he agreed to plead guilty to only one count, soliciting the misuse of public monies, as part of a plea deal with special prosecutor Grant Woods.
Hounshell, 41, agreed never to run for public office and pay $15,000 in restitution. He faces up to a year in jail when he's sentenced on Dec. 7.
Authorities said Hounshell used a county-owned trailer to haul a truck he bought for his son from Phoenix to St. Johns and also charged the trip on a credit card belonging to the Sheriff's Department.
Hounshell was first indicted in 2005 after several employees complained of his misuse of public funds.
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Part of his plea agreement stated that he would resign from the Sheriff's Department as of Sept. 30. Hounshell said he plans to retire after he resigns.
Chief Deputy Sheriff David Murray will perform the sheriff's duties until the vacancy is filled.
