By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
An FBI agent who stole heroin seized as evidence to feed his addiction was sentenced to three years in federal prison Thursday, a much lighter sentence than prosecutors wanted, the Washington Post reports.
Matthew Lowry’s theft of evidence prompted prosecutors to dismiss drug cases against 28 defendants.
Calling it the most difficult decision in his 32 years on the bench, U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan said he choose a lighter sentence because of Lowry’s addition. The sentencing guidelines had called for seven to nine years in prison.
“What we have here is a successful young agent with a sterling reputation who abused his position and abused his trust,” Hogan said.
He added, however, that because of Lowry’s actions, “major drug dealers were put back on the street to harm our citizens and endanger our children.”
