Posted on 11/04/2005 9:37:00 AM PST by ncountylee
Three Billings Police officers have been suspended with pay while investigations are conducted into whether they violated department policy or the law by mishandling samples of a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Interim Police Chief Rich St. John said Thursday that officers Sandy Leonard, Terry Bechtold and Curtis Eckhardt were suspended Oct. 28 after an internal affairs investigation was launched into whether the officers took samples of the prescription drug Levitra. The drug samples were later determined to have been stolen from a car owned by a pharmaceutical salesman in the Heights and discarded in a nearby driveway, St. John said.
The internal investigation is ongoing and could result in further discipline against the three officers, St. John said.
“It is serious and we are treating it as such,” St. John said. “If discipline is warranted, it will be meted out and that will be at the conclusion of the investigation and following a due process hearing.”
The state Division of Criminal Investigation is also involved in the case, St. John said. The state agency will conduct an independent investigation to determine whether a crime was committed, he said.
Levitra is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction similar to Viagra and Cialis. It is not classified as a dangerous drug or narcotic, St. John said.
Here's what St. John said the internal investigation has revealed so far:
Leonard was sent to a residence in the Heights last week when a homeowner reported finding a “brick” of Levitra samples in their driveway. Leonard collected the brick, which when intact contains 24 sample packets with three pills in each packet. St. John said the brick was partially broken when Leonard found it.
(Excerpt) Read more at billingsgazette.com ...
Obligatory Hardened Criminal Joke inserted here!
Geez, the comments on this ought to be interesting.......
If this goes to trial it could end in a stiff sentence or a hung jury.
Bump for later.
must have needed more night sticks?
Sounds like the officers pulled a boner on this caper.
How can you steal something that is for free?
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