KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A former Knoxville police officer who stole kratom while on duty was granted judicial diversion, court records show.

Tyler Wheeler, 32, was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days of judicial diversion, with conditions requiring him to maintain good behavior and stay away from 7001 Kingston Pike, according to court records.

On June 10, Knoxville police received a report that a uniformed KPD officer, later identified as Wheeler, had shoplifted from a convenience store on Kingston Pike.

After investigating and reviewing the security footage, police learned that Wheeler went into the store while on duty, went behind the counter, took multiple pouches of kratom and put them in his pocket before leaving. KPD said the pouches were approximately $30 each.

Wheeler was issued a

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