Former Crime Lab Chemist Charged With Stealing, Using Drugs

BALDWIN, PA - A Baldwin man who formerly worked in the Allegheny County crime lab faces a preliminary hearing on May 15 on charges he stole and used drugs from an evidence locker

Matthew Ieraci, 28, a former crime lab chemist, is charged with theft by unlawful taking, tampering with physical evidence, prohibited acts possession (drug violations), criminal mischief and receiving stolen property.

In February, Ieraci was sent to a medical facility for a drug test after displaying slurred speech and poor motor skills in the lab. According to the criminal complaint, he tested positive for marijuana and Alprazolam, an active ingredient in the anti-anxiety drug Xanax.

Investigators reviewed security footage from the lab that showed Ieraci going into a drug evidence storage vault locker and handling evidence, Powder later collected from the locker shelves and floor tested positive for Alprazolam, the complaint stated.

After initially being placed on leave in February, Ieraci since has been fired.

Photo by Dean812 via Creative Commons.

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