BEND, Ore. — 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.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says she stole methamphetamine, morphine and other drugs while processing 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.
The prosecution and defense recommend she receive a three-year prison sentence when sentenced in December. Her plea agreement releases her from any potential charges filed by any district attorney, a stipulation added because her crimes potentially affected more than 2,500 drug cases.
