A former Cole County Sheriff's Department deputy, who worked with the MUSTANG Drug Task Force, now is facing drug charges himself.
The Cole County grand jury this week indicted Steve Thompson, 31, New Bloomfield, on: one count of possession of the controlled substance Diazepam, from Dec. 17, 2010; one count of stealing the controlled substance Hydrocodone, which was in the possession of the task force on Dec. 9, 2010; and felony stealing for taking more than $500 worth of property owned by the task force between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 17, 2010.
Thompson turned himself into authorities Wednesday, then was released after posting $1,000 - 10 percent of a $10,000 bond.
Franklin County Prosecutor Robert Parks said Thompson was dismissed from the sheriff's department in mid-December 2010.
"He is the only person associated with the task force (who was) being investigated," Parks emphasized. "This is not an investigation of the task force."
Parks was contacted by Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson to be the special prosecutor because this case involved a Cole County sheriff's deputy.
Although new Circuit Judge Dan Green signed the indictment, Cole County Presiding Circuit Judge Pat Joyce is listed in court records as being assigned to the case.
Parks said he would not request a special judge.
However, he said, Thompson could request a special judge, but the court would have to grant the request.