Former deputy indicted on drug, stealing charges

A former Cole County Sheriff's Department deputy, who worked with the MUSTANG Drug Task Force, now is facing drug charges himself.

The Cole County grand jury this week indicted Steve Thompson, 31, New Bloomfield, on one count of possession of the controlled substance Diazepam, from Dec. 17, 2010; one count of stealing the controlled substance Hydrocodone, which was in the possession of the task force on Dec. 9, 2010; and felony stealing for allegedly taking more than $500 worth of property owned by the task force between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 17, 2010.

Thompson turned himself in to authorities Wednesday, then was released after posting $1,000 - 10 percent of a $10,000 bond.

Franklin County Prosecutor Robert Parks said Thompson was dismissed from the sheriff's department in mid-December 2010.