8-19-05 - TISHOMINGO, Okla. (AP) The former Wapanucka police chief receives suspended sentences and fines in connection with a three-month investigation.

John Jay Bynum pleaded no contest Tuesday in Johnston County District Court to falsely reporting a crime, which is a misdemeanor. He was fined 500 dollars and given a 90-day suspended sentence.

Bynum claimed he was assaulted last year by a Hispanic man he stopped on State Highway 48. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol began searching for an assailant, but no one was ever found. The report turned out to be false.

In an unrelated charge, Bynum pleaded guilty to felony embezzlement for misusing city equipment and was given a one-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay 725 dollars in restitution.

A felony larceny count was dismissed, but Bynum still was ordered to pay 425 dollars in restitution.