The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office internal affairs unit has arrested an eleven year veteran of the Sheriff’s Patrol in conjunction with an investigation into missing prescription pain medication from an evidence locker.

Lamar Jackson , 40, of Monticello, was arrested on Wednesday September 12, 2012 after he failed to log in 8 Percocet pain pills and $66.00 dollars in cash from a pocketbook that was turned in to the Sheriff’s Office as found property. The found pocketbook was part of an integrity test set up by internal affairs. Jackson became a person of interest earlier in the month when a deputy sheriff discovered 6 Percocet pills missing from an evidence locker and notified his supervisor.

Jackson had placed evidence in the locker shortly before the pills came up missing. Upon hearing of the missing medication, Sheriff Mike Schiff immediately ordered his internal affairs unit to investigate. When Jackson was confronted by investigators Tuesday night he had $66.00 in marked bills from the handbag in one pocket and the Percocet pills in the other.

Jackson admitted that he had taken the 6 Percocet pills from the evidence locker on September 1, 2012. Jackson was arrested and charged with Felony Tampering with Evidence, Official Misconduct, Falsifying Business Records, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree and Petit Larceny.

He was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date in the Village of Monticello. Jackson was also immediately suspended from his $57,396 a year job as a deputy sheriff and faces departmental charges.

“It is unfortunate when something like this happens in any organization. I commend Blake Muthig Chief of Patrol and Internal Affairs Officer, who was able to bring this time sensitive and very serious situation to an appropriate conclusion.”, said the Sheriff