Rocky Ford police officer accused of taking marijuana from evidence to sell

The investigation is still ongoing, CBI says. We're working on getting more details.

February 27, 2020

ROCKY FORD, Colo. (KRDO) -- A police officer in Rocky Ford is facing a felony charge after an investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation found that he may have stolen marijuana that was seized during an active police investigation and then packaged it for sale.

The stunning allegations were announced by CBI Thursday, but Rocky Ford Police Officer James Lopez still hasn't been arrested, despite charges of distribution of a controlled substance and official misconduct.

A news release from CBI says that Lopez allegedly confiscated marijuana during the course of an investigation in the Rocky Ford area, and then brought a pound of marijuana to a friend's house. Later, he packaged the marijuana "for apparent distribution." It happened sometime during December, 2019.

District Attorney James Bullock filed the charges against Lopez on Tuesday. However, Lopez was issued a felony summons and is expected in court on March 30 in La Junta.

CBI says Lopez was placed on administrative leave by the RFPD in January.

The investigation is still ongoing, CBI says. We're working on getting more details.