Former Canton PD Sergeant Charged with Tampering with Evidence

A former Canton Police Sergeant has been charged in connection with the disappearance of a rifle that belonged to the Canton Police Department.

Adair County Prosecutor Matt Wilson, serving as special prosecutor in the case, recently filed a charge of tampering with physical evidence in Lewis County Circuit Court against former Canton officer Ryan Clanton.

Clanton is alleged to have pawned a Canton Police Department AR-15 rifle at a West Quincy pawn shop in September of 2017.

When Clanton left the Canton department to become Police Chief in LaGrange, he was asked to turn in all department issued equipment.

Clanton allegedly turned in a different rifle, then told Canton authorities that he had pawned the CPD rifle because he was in financial trouble and needed the money.

Clanton resigned as LaGrange police chief, and an investigation into the matter was turned over to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department.

Clanton has been served with a summons ordering him to appear in court.