Deputy arrested in theft of 400 pills

Friday, November 23, 2012

— A Saline County sheriff’s deputy was arrested Wednesday over accusations that he took 400 pain pills from an Alexander home, authorities said Thursday.

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Paul Babbitt of Benton posted bond on charges of theft of property and possession of a prescription drug without a prescription shortly after he was booked Wednesday, according to the sheriff’s office.

About 4:40 p.m. Nov. 8, a 60-year-old man told investigators that someone took 400 4-milligram Dilaudid pills from his home, according to the police report.

The victim told authorities he let the “anonymous” man into his home on Nov. 3, the report said.

Sheriff ’s spokesman Lt. Scottie Courtney said he was unsure how Babbitt and the victim knew each other.

Further investigation led Saline County investigators to Babbitt, according to a news release. Department investigators believe Babbitt took the prescription pills that one time, Courtney said.

Babbitt is on administrative leave with pay, pending Sheriff Bruce Pennington’s decision on his status.

Arkansas, Pages 16 on 11/23/2012