JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – “It Was a shock.” That’s how Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings describes his reaction upon learning that a detective in the Jamestown Police Department was involved with the alleged mishandling and theft of evidence from the police evidence room.
Snellings, along with Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley and New York State Police Lt. Ed Kennedy held a press conference at 1 p.m. Friday in city hall to address the allegations against former Detective Eric Corey, who allegedly took an undisclosed amount of pain killer medication over a two-year period while assigned as a custodian of the JPD evidence room. Corey, who was a member of the Jamestown Police Department for 14 years, handed in his resignation Friday morning. He had previously been on administrative leave since last month. [He had access to the Evidence room over a two year period, although it is not known how long he had been allegedly taking pain medication out of the evidence room (ed. note – updated 2:15 p.m., Sept. 14, 2012)].
LISTEN TO PRESS CONFERENCE HERE
(approx. 25:10 long)
During today’s media conference, District Attorney Foley said he was first informed of Corey’s alleged use of pain medication through confidential tip on Aug. 9, 2012. He immediately informed chief Snellings, and a subsequent administrative investigation was underway. Because Corey was an employee with the police department, the New York State Police were called in to handle the criminal investigation. When Corey submitted his resignation this morning, the administrative investigation concluded. However, the state police’s criminal investigation continues to be ongoing.
According to District Attorney Foley, it is unknown how many cases may be affected due to Corey’s alleged theft of pain medication from the city evidence room. While Corey was relieved of custodial duty in April of this year (through an unrelated reassignment), he remained involved in investigations in the field and as a result, those cases may also be impacted.
The D.A. also did not want to approximate just how many cases could be compromised, although it could be more than 100, based on the number of cases Corey was connected to as well as the number of cases where evidence was present during Corey’s access to the evidence room. No charges have been filed against Corey and the investigation is ongoing. Lt. Kennedy would not say how long the investigation would take or what charges could be filed against Corey in the future.
At least one case was already affected by Corey’s access and misappropriation of evidence. Earlier this week, Foley indicated he had to strike a plea deal with 22 year old Eric Chant of Jamestown, who was charged last year with the abduction and rape of a 12 year old. According to a published report, Chant was offered the plea partially because Corey had been accused of potentially tampering with evidence in other cases and that may have influenced the jury’s decision during trial. He was facing 25 years to life for the crime.
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