Police chemist sentenced for drug use

By Scott North

Herald Writer

Mike Hoover spent 25 years working with police and prosecutors to put illegal drug users in jail.

On Wednesday, the former Washington State Patrol chemist learned he will spend the next 11 months behind bars for pilfering heroin sent to his lab for forensic tests.

Hoover, 51, of Edmonds in July pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence and official misconduct, both gross misdemeanors. He said he began sneaking drugs to treat chronic back pain.

"I regret and I am deeply saddened about what I did and I am very sorry about my activities" and their unintended consequences, Hoover told Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Joseph Thibodeau.

Hoover’s actions already have led Snohomish County prosecutors to drop 126 drug cases, and they are fighting off appeals from eight inmates serving prison terms, deputy prosecutor Walt Sowa said.

Other cases have been affected in six other Western Washington counties, which sent drugs for tests at the state crime lab in Marysville where Hoover worked for the past 11 years.

"The results here have been very bad," Sowa said. "We have 126 drug cases where people who would have otherwise been prosecuted walked free."

Hoover’s lawyer, Stephen Garvey of Everett, got to know his client from years of working as a prosecutor and defense attorney. Hoover had a reputation for doing solid, honest work, so much so that in Garvey’s 18 years of practice he has often advised defendants not to bother arguing whether they had been caught with drugs if Hoover’s tests showed that was so.

Hoover didn’t foresee that his drug pilfering would undermine prosecutions, Garvey said.

Hoover stands by the accuracy of his tests, and he was willing to continue to testify even though that guaranteed he would be attacked by defense attorneys, Garvey added.

Sowa countered that regardless of how good Hoover once was, a drug-abusing forensic chemist would not inspire a jury’s confidence.

Hoover started his career as a crime lab chemist 25 years ago in California. He came under investigation in December 2000 after co-workers became concerned about his insistence on handling heroin cases. A hidden camera caught him repeatedly stealing heroin. Hoover admitted he was sniffing small amounts of purified heroin dust to control back pain.

Prosecutors suggested Hoover be sentenced to a year in jail. Garvey said 90 days was more appropriate.

Judge Thibodeau sentenced Hoover to 11 months in jail and 240 hours of community service.

He said the defendant’s conduct was a breach of public trust that couldn’t go unnoticed. At the same time, Hoover may be able help others struggling with drugs, the judge said.

"I think you would be a good speaker to that," Thibodeau said.

You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431

or send e-mail to north@heraldnet.com.

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