Vermont Drug Charges Dropped After Evidence Goes Missing

The Chittenden County state's attorney says more drug charges are being dismissed linked to a police detective accused of stealing drug evidence.

Prosecutor T.J. Donovan said Tuesday that his office has dismissed four charges because of missing evidence.

The charges were selling cocaine, heroin trafficking, selling drugs near school property and to minors, which are all felonies and misdemeanor cocaine possession.

Last month, Colchester Police Cpl. Tyler Kinney was arrested on charges he allegedly stole a gun and drugs from the evidence room of his department. He was released from jail and sent to a drug rehabilitation center and has not entered a plea.

Donovan also has dismissed three marijuana cases and felony heroin charges against two defendants because the evidence was either missing or completely compromised.