A former Joliet Junior College police officer pleaded guilty Monday to theft after being accused of stealing fuel and a plant from the school, his attorney said.

Paul Jerantowski, 37, of Lockport, was convicted of a class A misdemeanor and sentenced to a discharge of the court on the condition that he does not have another offense in 12 months, said his attorney, Patricia Kalkanis.

“He pled guilty in lieu of the state not filing a higher charge to a felony,” she said.

Jerantowski had been a police officer at JJC for 11 years, and in Elmhurst for eight years prior to that.

“As a police officer for the past 19 years, he put his life on the line for the people of the county,” his attorney said. “He made a mistake; it was a momentary lapse. He is paying for it and taking responsibility for it. “

Kalkanis said she could not comment on why he stole the items, only that he took a single plant from the agriculture center, and was caught on videotape taking the gasoline from the school's pump.

Jerantowski was terminated after the June 19 incident, Kalkanis said.

“As part of the sentencing, too, he was ordered to pay the school back,” she said.

He also was fined $400 to the court, and 30 hours community service.

Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter.