Former Cop Sentenced for Stealing Painkillers

A former Beckley Police evidence technician has been sentenced to four years’ probation for stealing prescription painkillers from the police evidence storage room in 2012. Gabriella Brown, 31, of Beckley, W.Va., was found guilty of obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception and subterfuge.

Brown’s crime led to the dismissal of multiple drug prosecutions involving evidence stored in the Beckley Police evidence room. The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Agency Tactical Diversion Squad, with Assistant United States Attorney Steven I. Loew handling the prosecution.

Brown’s actions sparked a widespread investigation that uncovered the full extent of the prescription painkiller theft. The pills stolen by Brown were oxycodone pills, a powerful and highly addictive painkiller.

The case has raised concerns about the integrity of the Beckley Police evidence room and the potential for further corruption within the department. The Beckley Police Department has been forced to re-examine its evidence handling procedures in light of Brown’s actions.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia has been working tirelessly to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs in the region. This case is a shining example of their efforts to aggressively pursue and shut down illegal pill trafficking and eliminate open air drug markets.

Brown’s sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of stealing prescription painkillers and the importance of maintaining the integrity of evidence in law enforcement. This case serves as a warning to others who would seek to exploit the system for personal gain.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the sentencing hearing, handing down the four-year probation sentence to Brown. The case has been hailed as a major victory in the fight against prescription painkiller abuse in West Virginia.

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