Former Idaho sheriff sentenced

RUPERT (AP) - The former Minidoka County sheriff has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for using a county fuel card to buy less than $300 worth of gas for a female county employee.

Fifth District Judge Casey Robinson ordered Kevin Halverson to begin serving that time next February. Restitution is to be determined later. Halverson apologized during Sept. 13's sentencing hearing.

Prosecutors said Halverson bought the fuel between November 2012 and January 2013.

The employee, driver's license clerk Alice Daniel, is charged with falsifying her time cards and misusing sick leave, costing the county just over $2,000. She has not entered a plea.

Charging documents alleged Daniel and Halverson were having a personal relationship and that she took some sick days and claimed work hours for time she spent with Halverson.

He pleaded guilty on July 30, to one count of felony misuse of public funds. As part of his plea agreement with the state, Halverson resigned as sheriff July 1.

As a result of his plea, Halverson is prohibited from holding any public office in Idaho.

The court also granted a withheld judgment. A withheld judgment means that, after completing his sentence and probation, Halverson may ask the court to dismiss the charges against him.

The Attorney General's Special Prosecutions Unit investigated and prosecuted this case at the request of Minidoka County Prosecutor Lance D. Stevenson.

Coeur d'Alene Press staff contributed to this report.