By Jared Acosta
Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Corporal Brian Rickard pleaded guilty to crimes involving stealing drugs from the evidence room, ingesting them while on the job, and using office computers to hide his misdeeds.
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, an investigation was launched by the Wayne County District Attorney's Office after Corporal Rickard was found in a compromised condition and unable to perform his normal duties while at work. Rickard reportedly then started a commotion when his supervisor had asked him to return home for the day. Shortly thereafter, a fellow Corporal entered Rickard's office and found multiple empty heroin packets along with a crumpled evidence envelope in his trash can. A further investigation discovered that the narcotics had been taken from a State Police evidence room. A search of Rickard's home uncovered additional empty heroin packets with the same branding.
"Stealing evidence is a serious crime, and with today's guilty plea Corporal Rickard has been held accountable for his actions. Opioid addiction harms Pennsylvanians in many ways, from making our communities less safe, to ruining livelihoods, to claiming thousands of lives," the statement said.
Rickard pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including Acquisition of Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Obstructing Administration of Law, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Forgery, and Theft by Unlawful Taking. Senior Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo is prosecuting this case before the Honorable Judge Higgins in Monroe County, PA. Rickard's sentencing will be held on Monday, Sept. 19.
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