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Baton Rouge police officer accused of theft, painkiller addiction

On Behalf of | Apr 19, 2011 | Drug Charges, Firm News |

In today’s world, we are bombarded with prescription drugs. It is difficult to turn on the television and not see a commercial for the latest and greatest drug that will miraculously improve the lives of patients. Because prescription drugs are flooding the market and are commonly prescribed by doctors, legitimate use of these highly addictive medications can quickly turn into drug abuse.

A Baton Rouge police officer was recently accused of stealing money seized in drug investigations to fund a prescription pain killer addiction. According to the authorities, the officer took approximately $15,000 in cash confiscated during various drug busts and used the money to purchase prescription painkillers for his own purposes.

According to investigators, the 27-year-old officer, a five-year veteran of the Baton Rouge Police Department, confessed he was struggling with a prescription pain medication addiction. He apparently said that he stole the money so he could purchase drugs and feed his addiction. It turned out that he had been working in the narcotics division at the time of his arrest.

The officer was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. He has been charged with seven counts of felony theft and a single count of malfeasance in office. If convicted, he faces serious potential penalties. In addition to the legal ramifications, his career will be tainted and his reputation soiled.

Even if the officer is not found guilty of the crimes he is accused of committing, his career and personal reputation will likely suffer. Reports indicate that the defendant resigned from the police department shortly after being taken into custody.

Source: WAFB.com, “Officer accused of stealing seized drug money,” Heather Mason, 18 April 2011

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