VALDOSTA — A former evidence custodian at the Valdosta/Lowndes Regional Crime Laboratory has been charged in connection with taking confiscated drugs from the lab.

Amber Nawolski, 37, has been charged with Felony Possession of Hydrocodone, Felony Forgery in the First Degree and Theft by Taking of Oxycodone. 

A routine audit, part of the accreditation process in place at the crime lab, indicated drugs were missing and resulted in an internal investigation, according to police reports. 

Authorities said Wednesday the discrepancies were isolated to one employee and a specific type and number of cases. “The police department has determined there was no tampering of cases during the analysis at the crime laboratory,” a news released stated.

A list of the cases with discrepancies have been provided to the District Attorney’s Office.  

Nawolski, who has been employed with the Valdosta Police Department since August of 2007, reportedly resigned in lieu of termination while under criminal investigation. Authorities said Wednesday she pleaded guilty to two felony offenses and one misdemeanor offense and was booked into the Lowndes County Jail.  

Valdosta Chief of Police Brian Childress said, “Although I am deeply troubled by this matter, I am very proud of the men and women of the Valdosta Police Department who, using our own internal procedures, identified this issue and once found, reported it to me. This helped us isolate the issues and minimize further problems. We are treating this case like any other allegation and as we have demonstrated in the past, we hold our own employees accountable which includes any criminal and policy violations.

“There is no evidence that any other law enforcement agency was involved in this matter, and it appears the problem was internal to the crime laboratory and this one employee. All participating law enforcement agencies have been informed and were appreciative of the VPD’s transparency in making them aware of the situation. They have been understanding and cooperative.”