DRUG EVIDENCE GONE Feds Take Over Probe Of Missing Drugs At Beckley PD Property Room
Reported by: Bob Aaron
Videographer: Bob Aaron
Web Producer: Bob Aaron
Also Contributing: AP, WOAY
Reported: Aug. 23, 2012 6:34 PM EDT
Updated: Aug. 23, 2012 6:41 PM EDT
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Beckley
, West Virginia
Raleigh County's prosecutor says drug cases going back 15 months are being dismissed because the evidence is missing from the Beckley Police Department's property room. At Chief Tim Deems request, the United States Attorney and the DEA are taking over the evidence locker probe.
Some prescription pain pills have gone missing from police custody. Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Keller acted after police notified her the drugs were gone.
Property clerk Gabriella Brown suddenly went on emergency leave, but no one has been charged. Only she and Capt. Jeff Shumate had access to the room holding money, drugs and guns obtained during investigations.
Keller explained that once evidence control was compromised, she had no choice. Previous convictions or guilty pleas also could potentially be vacated.
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Bob Aaron
