Ex-Erie cop gets 9-22 months for stealing drugs

The Associated Press State and Local Wire

Erie, PA

A former Erie police officer has been sentenced to nine to 22 months in prison and house arrest for stealing cocaine from the department's evidence room.

Erie County Judge John Garhart ordered 47-year-old Robert Liebel to serve 120 days in prison and the rest on house arrest on Tuesday. Liebel was given credit for 43 days he's already spent in jail and in rehabilitation. He'll be eligible for work release once he reports to jail April 1.

Liebel pleaded guilty in January to all nine charges against him, including theft and possession of cocaine. He said he took the cocaine for himself. The 22-year veteran was arrested last February after Erie police conducted a sting. The drugs were taken in 2007 and 2008.

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