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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Aug. 17 ... Judge sides with Ashland Gun Club ... Discovery keeps jet boats launching despite lack of parks permit ... Emergency services, Aug. 17 ... Judge sides with Ashland Gun Club ... Discovery keeps jet boats launching despite lack of parks permit ... Oregon State Police crime lab scientist pleads guilty to stealing drugs Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 16, 2016 at 11:25 AM Posted Aug. 16, 2016 at 11:25 AM » Social News BEND — A forensic scientist at the Oregon State Police crime labs has admitted stealing hundreds of pills from evidence submitted to the labs over two years. Nika Larsen, 36, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court to two counts of charges of obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud and deception, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported (http://goo.gl/RFUcUJ). The U.S. Attorney's Office says Larsen used her position to steal methamphetamine, morphine and other drugs while processing and overseeing cases. An investigation found Larsen took the pills in Umatilla County between December 2013 and November 2014 and in Deschutes County between November 2014 and September 2015. She began working for the state in 2007. Larsen, who formerly worked on fingerprint and drug evidence as well as crime scene processing, told Judge Anna J. Brown that she also stole pills the crime lab had purchased to use in its analysis of street drugs. Oregon State Police launched an investigation in April 2015 after a forensic scientist in the Bend lab found 18 oxycodone pills were missing. Investigators found some pills were missing, partially missing or had been replaced with non-controlled substances — all in cases handled by Larsen. The prosecution and defense are recommending Larsen receive a three-year prison sentence when she's sentenced in December. Her plea agreement also releases Larsen from any potential charges filed by any district attorney in the state, a stipulation added because Larsen's crimes potentially affected more than 2,500 drug cases statewide. All pending cases that relied on Larsen's analysis were dismissed or a continuance was pursued in hopes of retesting evidence. Larsen told investigators the drugs she took were for personal use only. Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com . MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 16, 2016 at 11:25 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501