VERNAL -- Criminal charges have been filed against a former Vernal police detective accused of accessing a state database to steal a couple's painkillers.
Ben Murray was charged Friday in 8th District Court with unlawful use of the controlled substance database and possession of a controlled substance.
In a federal lawsuit filed last month, Candy Holmes and Russell Smithe claim Murray looked up information on them in the Utah Prescription Drug Database and visited their home at least 30 times in 2001 to conduct "pill checks."
Murray is accused of distracting them and pocketing hundreds of their pain pills.
He resigned from the force after his later arrest.
The database tracks prescription drugs dispensed by Utah pharmacies in an effort to help doctors, pharmacists and police identify those who abuse such drugs.
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