An Indiana coroner was arrested Thursday after investigators discovered she was selling a drug typically used for pain.
La Porte County Deputy Coroner Dawn L. Maxson, 47, was charged with a felony count of dealing the narcotic Hydromorphone, a morphine derivative used to treat pain, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office.
Maxson is held in lieu of $20,000 cash bond, and further charges are pending, sheriff's officials said.
Officials said they were aware Maxson was an employee in a county office from the beginning of the investigation.
"While I'm very disappointed to see a public official charged with dealing drugs, I'm proud of the efforts and determination put forth by our Metro Narcotics team," La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd said in a statement. "Even more frustrating is the fact that as a deputy coroner, Maxson has been witness to lives lost due to the ravages of drug addiction she has chosen to deal narcotics ... Let this arrest put drug dealers on notice that police officers in La Porte County are committed to pursuing all avenues when it comes to stopping drug sales."
