BECKELY -
If you remember back in August an investigation into the Beckley Police Department Evidence locker sent shock waves throughout the community.
More than a month later, new details are being released.. the former evidence tech, Gabriella Brown is facing felony charges.
"The charge is for the theft of 22 oxycodone pills it is the matter that brought this whole episode to light," Booth Goodwin, U.S. Attorney.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said in mid-August an officer went into the locker to retrieve evidence, but the items they were looking for were gone.
This is the ONLY case Brown is admitting too by taking the plea deal.
Initial reports from the Police Department said over 200 pills were unaccounted for and officials hope the deal will help them uncover how much was STOLEN.
"This is an agreement with her and it is presented as that she will cooperate so until she provides that cooperation we will not know the full scope that is why I am saying this is an ongoing investigation," Goodwin said.
Officials are calling this action a step in the right direction, but we wanted to know in wake of these charges, has the Beckley Police Department taken a look at their policies and procedures when dealing with evidence.
"There are a couple changes we have already made and we have installed cameras inside our property room which will record anyone going in and out of that room and we also added, we've had the locks changed," Chief Tim Deems, Beckley Police Department said.
Chief Deem said these aren't the only changes in their policies.
He said the police department is still continuing their own internal investigation to make sure nothing like this will ever happen again.
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