Former Floyd County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessie Stiles, 36 of Rome, was denied bond on Thursday. According to testimony from police Sgt. Chris Fincher, after being terminated from his job Stiles continued to allegedly steal prescription medications. Fincher said that Stiles, just a few days after losing his job for the same thing, went to a victim’s home and took 74 pills.

Ficher added that Stiles, at least twice while working as a deputy, and one other time, stole drugs from citizens. Reports said that Stiles went to a home on Ohio Drive and told the resident that he was an undercover officer and that he had been to a home where pills were reported stolen. As a result he needed to see if any had been stolen at their home. The grandson of the victim gave Stiles the pills and he took them to his car. When they were returned 74 hydrocodone pills were missing. Stiles visited five other homes that day, but no pills were reportedly taken.

Stiles was later arrested and charged with three counts of felony theft by taking, three counts of possession of controlled substances, two counts of exploitation of elder persons, two counts of first-degree burglary and one count of violation of an oath by a public officer.

Additional charges are pending.

Stiles’ attorney told Judge Tami Colston that his client was an exemplary employee of the sheriff’s office for 11 years, however, after suffering a serious injury, became addicted to pain killers. He asked that Stiles have a bond so that he could receive treatment for his addiction.

Colston denied the request saying that a possible relapse could land Stiles in more trouble.

(Coosa Valley News)