Police Detective Allegedly Used State's Prescription Drug Database to Spy on Couple & Steal Their Pain Pills

A former Vernal police detective now faces criminal charges stemming from his alleged theft of a couple’s pain pills, a month after the couple filed a complaint against him in federal court.

[...]According to the civil complaint, Candy Holmes and Russell Smithe allege Murray looked up information about them, including medical history and other private data, in the state’s prescription drug database. He learned when they filled prescriptions, for what drugs and in what quantities.

Murray, wearing his police uniform and driving his police vehicle, then visited their home at least 30 times between January and July 2011 to conduct what he called a "pill check," the complaint adds. Murray discussed their medical conditions and other personal issues and required them to produce their medications so he could count the pills.

During that process, it alleges, he would distract them and pocket pills. The complaint claims Murray knew Holmes and Smithe had criminal histories and mental health issues, were uneducated and poor, and were unlikely to question him or discover that his actions were unlawful.