By Dennis J. Carroll
SANTA FE, New Mexico (Reuters) - The former sheriff of Santa Fe County was arrested and taken to the jail he used to run on Wednesday, accused of embezzling county property, including protective vests and other police gear which he allegedly sold on the Internet.
"It's a dark day for the those who put their trust in Greg Solano," District Attorney Matthew Chandler said of the two-term sheriff who resigned in November after admitting he auctioned off county property, including the bullet-proof vests to members of the military, on Ebay.
Chandler said Solano surrendered peacefully at his attorney's office in Santa Fe and was booked into the county jail. Bond was set at $25,000.
Solano faces 252 charges of embezzling and selling $60,000 in public property that also included gun holsters, handcuffs, digital recorders, ink cartridges, flashlights and police duty belts from January of 2007 to last November.
If convicted on all counts Solano could be sentenced to a maximum of 250 years in prison.
State Police Captain David Martinez said authorities were tipped off in September by a lawman in Texas who said he had purchased a bullet-proof vest from Solano over the Internet.
The affidavit for a warrant for Solano's arrest said the Texan became suspicious because of the low price and Solano's impatience about receiving payment.
When he resigned, Solano said his family had been facing financial problems.
Chandler, at a press conference Wednesday, said the former sheriff had been using the proceeds from the sales for gambling and other "personal habits."
(Editing by Dan Whitcomb and Peter Bohan)
