Cumberland County's former coroner pleaded guilty to the improper handling of prescription drugs during death investigations. Todd Eckenrode was sentenced Friday in Cumberland County Court, but will not serve any prison time.
Todd Eckenrode had been Chief Deputy Coroner for eight years. In 2009, he was elected to succeed longtime county coroner Michael Norris.
He was arrested in January and resigned in May.
Prescription drugs were discovered in Eckenrode's desk. Authorities said they had belonged to people who had died of natural causes.
A search warrant alleged that unspecified prescription drugs were set aside for use by his stepdaughter. Protocol requires medications to be picked up by a pharmaceutical disposal company.
Because of the close working relationship between the Coroner and the District Attorney, the investigation and prosecution was conducted by the state Attorney General's office. Eckenrode pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance.
He was sentenced to 12 months probation and 120 hours of community service.
Eckenrode's chief deputy, Matt Stoner became acting coroner upon his resignation. He will serve until the end of 2013. Stoner could not be reached to see if he will run for the office in next year's local election.
Todd Eckenrode had been Chief Deputy Coroner for eight years. In 2009, he was elected to succeed longtime county coroner Michael Norris.
He was arrested in January and resigned in May.
Prescription drugs were discovered in Eckenrode's desk. Authorities said they had belonged to people who had died of natural causes.
A search warrant alleged that unspecified prescription drugs were set aside for use by his stepdaughter. Protocol requires medications to be picked up by a pharmaceutical disposal company.
Because of the close working relationship between the Coroner and the District Attorney, the investigation and prosecution was conducted by the state Attorney General's office. Eckenrode pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance.
He was sentenced to 12 months probation and 120 hours of community service.
Eckenrode's chief deputy, Matt Stoner became acting coroner upon his resignation. He will serve until the end of 2013. Stoner could not be reached to see if he will run for the office in next year's local election.
