Montana state crime lab chemist charged with stealing meth

MISSOULA – A former chemist at Montana’s state crime lab in Missoula is charged with taking meth left over after testing for suspected drugs in criminal cases.

Court records say the chemist’s brother-in-law told police the man confessed to using meth taken from the lab.

The chemist told investigators the lab’s drug testing process does not use the entire sample. The remainder was supposed to be destroyed.

He faces three counts each of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor official misconduct. Missoula County prosecutors asked that the man be issued a summons to appear in District Court.

Court records say investigators used data from the man’s Fitbit to note an elevated heart rate at the times the man said he used meth.

Lab officials are working to determine if any criminal cases have been compromised.