A jury has found Readstown Police Chief Shay Larson guilty of three felonies.

The jury deliberated for about three hours Wednesday morning before reaching a verdict.

Prosecutors charged Larson with three felony counts of misconduct in public office earlier this year after a long investigation, accusing him of turning a blind  eye when he caught three people drinking in a car in December 2009.

The La Crosse Tribune reports Larson faces a combined maximum penalty of 10 ½ years in prison and $30,000 in fines.

All three people he caught drinking testified in the one-day trial in Vernon County Circuit Court. They gave conflicting accounts at times, but all agreed Larson had seen them drinking and did nothing.

Larson is also charged with six misdemeanors in a separate case, including counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, disorderly conduct and obstruction. A status hearing in that case is set for November 5th.