Ex-Iowa patrol sergeant charged with stealing drug evidence

Michael Haugen was charged Friday with falsifying a public document and third-degree theft.

Investigators say Haugen removed pills from evidence bags from the patrol’s storage room in Mason City between late 2014 and this spring. An investigation found that he stole about 150 prescription pills with a street value of $800.

The pills had been seized from suspects and were to be tested and potentially used in court proceedings. Up to six cases may be affected.

Haugen said in a resignation letter Monday that he became addicted to opioids in recent years while battling painful medical conditions in his intestines. The patrol had moved to terminate Haugen’s employment for misconduct.