Former Warren County Chief Detective Thomas J. Kibbey was released from the Warren County Jail this week after Judge John F. Cherry modified a portion of the sentence imposed following Kibbey’s guilty plea to two counts of official oppression.

Kibbey, 41, of Warren, pleaded guilty in June to misdemeanor charges stemming from an inappropriate relationship with a confidential informant for the Warren County Drug Task Force. Prosecutors alleged the informant was also a former Warren County Prison inmate and that the consensual relationship included sexual contact while Kibbey was serving in a position of authority.

During Tuesday’s sentence modification hearing, defense attorney Gene P. Placidi acknowledged the seriousness of Kibbey’s actions while urging the court to consider his client’s prior service and efforts at rehabilitation.

“There is no question these actions detrimentally affected the community,” Placidi said. “It was an unlawful abuse of power by an elected official. That’s what Mr. Kibbey did and that’s what Mr. Kibbey pled to.”

Placidi argued the court had not fully considered Kibbey’s work in the district attorney’s office, including his involvement in a number of drug-related investigations. He also noted Kibbey had participated in ensuring the victim’s cellphone was turned over to law enforcement despite the device allegedly containing evidence of their relationship.

The defense attorney told the court Kibbey continues to participate in counseling and has strong support from his family.

Attorney General Alexander Cashman opposed the request, arguing the original sentence should remain in place, stating additional information about the case continues to emerge that was not previously shared with the court.

Cashman then stated Kibbey and the confidential informant had sexual intercourse inside a police vehicle while a K-9 was in the back seat.

In explaining his ruling, Cherry reiterated concerns about the damage Kibbey’s conduct caused to public confidence in law enforcement.

“What Mr. Kibbey did increased distrust in law enforcement,” Cherry said. The judge added that cases such as this provide “more fodder for those who say, ‘See, they are all dirty,'” referring to critics of law enforcement.

Cherry modified Kibbey’s sentence on the first count of official oppression, replacing the previous three- to 25-month jail sentence with a maximum of 18 months of probation under the supervision of the Warren County Probation Department. Kibbey was credited for the 20 days he had already served in the county jail and was immediately released following the hearing.

The judge declined to modify the sentence on the second count, which remains a maximum of 24 months of probation. The sentences will continue to run consecutively.

Kibbey resigned as chief detective in March 2025 after allegations of misconduct were brought to the attention of the district attorney’s office. As chief detective, he coordinated the Warren County Drug Task Force and served as a liaison between the district attorney’s office and local law enforcement agencies.