WCBC

A Hagerstown police officer will face criminal charges for allegedly abusing his police powers to steal prescription narcotics from a home. WBAL reports Sgt. Christopher Barnett, a 15 1/2-year veteran on patrol duties, has been placed on unpaid leave and will face charges including controlled dangerous substance possession and distribution, malfeasance and office and theft, Hagerstown police Chief Victor Brito said. "I can not and I will not make any excuses for this betray of this agency, our badge and our community," Brito said. Police acted a day after receiving the allegation. Barnett, a resident of Three Springs, Pennsylvania, was arrested in that state, Brito said. "I am confident that we will come out stronger because of this," Brito said. A summons for Barnett appears in online court records. It's not clear if Barnett has a lawyer.