Former Allenstown Police Chief James J. McGonigle Jr. will likely spend nine months in jail after pleading guilty on Friday, March 30, in Merrimack County Superior Court to stealing money from the Allenstown Police Department, Allenstown Police Association and the New Hampshire Cadet Training Academy.

McGonigle, 58, of Concord, stole more than $8,000 between 2000 and 2006 from the three organizations. He pleaded guilty to two counts of theft by misapplication of property with regard to more than $1,000 taken from the police department. That money had been seized by local police during a drug investigation and was supposed to be kept for evidence.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of theft by misapplication of property for treating cash meant for the police academies as if it were his own.

The plea agreement calls for one year in the House of Corrections, with three months suspended, on one charge of theft, as well as a consecutive threeyear state prison sentence for the other two thefts. McGonigle also agreed to pay restituion up to $13,650.

A presentence investigation will take place before the actual sentencing is set.