A former police chief in Flippin who was accused of using a city credit card to steal public funds has been sentenced to 20 years of probation after taking a plea deal. The felony theft charge carried a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail. Marion County Circuit Court Judge John Putman ordered ex-Flippin Police Chief Ronald “Dusty” Smith to pay the city $72,118 in restitution. Putman told the attorneys that the deal is unusual because many people would expect a police officer who stole money and jeopardized cases to get jail time. An affidavit filed in the case shows Smith allegedly spent around $63,718.84 on a city credit card. The document noted Smith had access to government funds through police, city and drug-buy accounts.