The former police chief in Elizabeth Borough, who was already prosecuted in state court for stealing heroin from an evidence locker, has now been indicted by a federal grand jury for the same conduct.
Timothy L. Butler, 45, was charged Tuesday with theft of government property from June 2017 until December 2018 when the FBI said he stole heroin seized in a federal investigation of two individuals identified in court papers only by their initials.
The grand jury said Butler, who was part of an FBI task force, stole the heroin and used it for himself. He was the sole custodian over his department’s property room.
Although Butler had already been prosecuted in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court for the theft, the U.S. attorney's office brought a federal case because the heroin in question belonged to the FBI.
In 2019, Butler received probation and community service after pleading guilty.
Police discovered nearly 10,000 missing and empty stamp bags of heroin and fentanyl from the property room at the Elizabeth department.
He admitted to a sergeant in his department that he had become addicted to heroin after taking Vicodin for neck and back pain.
A search of his office turned up thousands of empty stamp bags in a trash can and lying on his desk.
Butler had resigned his position and was working two jobs to support his family. He also completed an outpatient drug program.
He remains free on a $25,000 bond and will be arraigned in U.S. District Court on Aug. 9.
First Published: July 20, 2022, 2:34 p.m.
Updated: July 20, 2022, 4:04 p.m.
