IOWA CITY, Iowa — A former Iowa State Patrol sergeant has been charged with falsifying a public document and third-degree theft out of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, says the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Michael Haugen, 31, formally resigned last week and blamed his misconduct on his addition to opioid painkillers.
A release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety says Haugen was placed on administrative leave on March 25, 2016, and began an investigation into misconduct. The department says Haugen removed prescription medication from evidence bags from a room in the Mason City District office that valued about $800. He is also accused of altering labeling on that evidence bag.
The department filed a notice of intent to terminate Haugen May 6. Instead of following through with an appeal, Haugen filed a letter of resignation on June 6.
Haugen had been with the Iowa State patrol since May 2006 and advanced to Sergeant August 2015.
Haugen was charged June 10 and posted bond the same day, says the department.
Records obtained by The Associated Press show that Haugen was also involved in a fender bender but didn't receive a citation. Haugen’s boss, Lt. Dan Schaffer, wrote a report blaming the lead driver for abruptly stopping and failing to properly signal. That driver was given a $330 ticket for driving without a license.