Eric Corey, former detective of the Jamestown Police Department, has been charged with official misconduct.
Corey, who had been a member of the Jamestown Police Department for more than a decade, came under scrutiny after Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley was informed by a confidential source that Corey had allegedly attempted to purchase prescription painkillers. Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings was informed and the internal investigation was launched.
According to Foley, an investigation by the New York State Police found that Corey was systematically opening sealed evidence bags and was removing a variety of different types of prescription painkillers. Corey resigned from the Jamestown Police Department following an internal investigation that revealed that prescription painkillers had been removed from the police department's evidence room on several occasions. Both Jamestown City Court judges have recused themselves from the case and an application for removal to another court is expected.
"We were prepared to bring a motion this morning to transfer the venue out of Jamestown, but we found that the forms that were forwarded to us by the Jamestown City Court had some changes that had to be made," Foley said.
Foley noted that his office will be requesting that the trial be handed over to the Town of Ellicott.
"Where the case is tried is up to the County Court judge," said Foley. "I would think that we'll have the motion done within the next few weeks."
Official misconduct is a class A misdemeanor and Corey could face up to one year in custody if he is convicted.