BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
FRANKLIN -- A city police officer is back on the job after being cleared of any wrongdoing linked to the removal of marijuana plants and seeds from the department's evidence room.
An investigation determined there was not enough evidence to file criminal charges against Officer Pamela Abshear, Police Chief Robert Rockwood said Thursday.
However, an administrative review into the incident should wrap up today. That could lead to some type of discipline leveled at the officer, the chief said.
"We would like to have conclusive results," he said. "I really think it's unfortunate in this case because the shadow remains over an individual who has a public trust. It's not a good thing." The criminal investigator established a "possible motive for persons other than the officer in question" to take the marijuana, Chief Rockwood said. He would not elaborate.
Officer Abshear was placed on administrative leave last month after Middletown lawyer Jerry Bryant turned over the missing drugs to Middletown police. That agency then contacted Franklin.
Mr. Bryant said Uri Neumann, a client and Officer Abshear's estranged husband, gave him the marijuana.
"I had a client who turned (over) certain items that were removed from the Franklin Police Department evidence room," Mr. Bryant said. "My client wanted to dispose of it. We basically just wanted to get rid of the stuff."
Middletown police took the initial report and handed the case over to Franklin.
Mr. Bryant said he is representing Mr. Neumann in a divorce from Officer Abshear.
"The fact that someone other than herself had opportunity is clearly a violation of policy," Chief Rockwood said. "By design, there's only one property officer who directly represents the chief of police, and she is the key-holder. That makes her responsible." The administrative review will determine whether Officer Abshear will be disciplined. But Chief Rockwood does not anticipate recommending termination.
"I think that it's evident that access, improper access, was allowed to (evidence room) property," he said. "That's the overriding issue here."
