WILBURTON, Okla. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a southeastern Oklahoma ex-deputy on accusations that he stole drug evidence while working in the office.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says the former Latimer County deputy was booked into jail and released on bail Thursday. Law enforcement officials say he admitted to stealing the drug evidence twice, saying he needed the methamphetamine to help him cope with a post-traumatic stress disorder.
State authorities say he had been deployed to Afghanistan while in the Army National Guard before working for the sheriff's office.
The sheriff recently fired the deputy, who had been in charge of the drug evidence room. The state investigative bureau says the sheriff found drugs inside the deputy's vehicle while cleaning it.