Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jun 2002
Source: Deseret News (UT)
Copyright: 2002 Deseret News Publishing Corp.
Contact:  http://www.desnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/124

EX-DRUG AGENT FACES CHARGE

A former member of the Weber-Morgan Metro Narcotics Strike Force was 
charged by information in federal court with one count of fraudulently 
obtaining a controlled substance.

Ronald Kevin Walzer is accused of using his position to fraudulently obtain 
the painkiller hydrocondone between August 1997 and February 2002.

Walzer was responsible for investigating forged prescriptions with the task 
force in Ogden, said Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's 
Office. He was able to use his position to illegally obtain his own 
controlled substances, she said, without going into detail.

Walzer was hired by the Ogden Police Department in 1990. Assistant Chief 
Wayne Tarwater said the department opened an internal investigation after 
receiving information about Walzer from the DEA. Before that investigation 
was completed Walzer resigned April 5.

Ogden police dropped their investigation at that point and let the DEA 
continue with theirs.

"He was a very good officer and had an excellent work record up until the 
time of this problem," Tarwater said.

The Weber County Attorney's Office is letting the U.S. Attorney's Office 
handle the case to avoid any conflicts of interest, Rydalch said. Walzer 
had worked with Weber County on a number of cases.
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MAP posted-by: Beth