Credit: Flickr/steakpinball
A Montgomery County man who formerly worked as a Newtown Township police detective admitted to taking drugs from a secured medication drop-off box last year.
Charles Palko, 45 of Harleysville, Montgomery County, pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance, said Assistant District Attorney Antonetta Stancu.
In court, Palko told the court that he suffered from an addiction to prescription medication.
His addiction eventually cost him his job, left him with a criminal record and netted him one year probation.
According to court records, Palko was observed via surveillance video taking drugs from the police station’s medication drop-off box in the lobby. Palko, a 19-year veteran of the department, tried to conceal a plastic bag with several medications, including Darvocet and Tramadol.
Officers reported the May 20 incident and Bucks County Detectives handled the case.
Police Chief Rick Pasqualini told NewtownPANow.com that Palko’s employment with the township ended July 1.
