A San Diego County sheriff’s deputy who stole prescription remedy from drug drop-off bins at a patrol station was sentenced Monday to 2 years of probation.
Cory Dean Richey, 39, was arrested earlier this yr on allegations that he fished medicine out of prescription drug collections bins, that are situated at legislation enforcement services and jails throughout the county for folks to get rid of undesirable medicines anonymously.
Richey, who stays on administrative unpaid depart from the sheriff’s division, pleaded responsible to a felony housebreaking cost earlier this yr. He beforehand confronted as much as 13 years in state jail if convicted of felony housebreaking and misdemeanor drug possession counts.
His protection legal professional, Earll Pott, mentioned after the sentencing listening to that Richey developed an opioid dependancy following an harm inflicted by an inmate whereas Richey was working as a jail deputy.
“On the depths of his dependancy, he accessed discarded remedy left in drop bins at a sheriff’s facility,” Pott informed reporters.
The legal professional mentioned Richey has since accomplished a residential drug rehabilitation program, been drug examined on a weekly foundation and has not had a constructive drug check in eight months.
“He’s wanting ahead to his continued sobriety and dedicated to his household and group,” Pott mentioned.
Although earlier this yr, Deputy District Legal professional Cal Logan mentioned the investigation was wanting into whether or not Richey was promoting any of the remedy, the prosecutor mentioned Monday that the proof solely confirmed Richey was utilizing the medicine personally.
“He’s an individual that sadly succumbed to dependancy like so many individuals in our group,” Logan mentioned.
