On at least two occasions he switched seized pills being held as evidence with over-the-counter medication, writing false documentation for the seizures.
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A former Altoona police officer has pleaded guilty to charges related to the theft of pills from police evidence lockers and possession of methamphetamine.
Joshua Copeland, a nine-year veteran of the city’s police force, resigned in April 2018 to avoid being terminated. Investigators found on at least two occasions he switched seized pills being held as evidence with over-the-counter medication, writing false documentation for the seizures.
Investigators also found a small amount of meth in Copeland’s squad car, and a blood sample from Copeland tested positive for meth.
Under the deal filed June 24, Copeland will plead guilty to two counts of felony misconduct in office, with the parties recommending probation and a suspended sentence of 10 years in prison. He also plans to plead, under a deferred prosecution agreement, to possession of a controlled substance. Two counts of forgery would be dismissed.
Copeland is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 23.
At the time, investigators could not determine what happened to the pills Copeland took out of evidence.
Prior to his resignation, Copeland was one of three general detectives on the Altoona force; a fourth works in narcotics.
