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Tim Nelson
ST. PAUL, Minn.

Minn. ex-cop convicted of stealing drugs

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A former Washington County sheriff's deputy has been convicted of stealing drugs from a prescription drop-off bin.

Ricky Harry Gruber was found guilty of official misconduct and illegal possession of prescription drugs by a jury in Stillwater. A hidden video camera caught the 43-year-old Oakdale man sneaking the contents of the county's drug disposal bin into his desk and truck. He took a variety of prescription medications.

Gruber had already lost his job at the sheriff's office, said Washington County Attorney Pete Orput.

"I'll be the first one to sound the alarm about prescription drug abuse going on in this country," Orput said. "But this, I think, is an anomaly. The fact that a cop succumbed to his worst nature is unfortunate and disappointing."

Gruber is scheduled for sentencing in January, and could face a year in jail. The former deputy may also lose his peace officers license, Orput said.