Mark Walker

mwalker@argusleader.com

A South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper charged with grand theft stole nearly $70,000 in drug money seized by the department, according to an affidavit for an arrest warrant filed in the case.

According to the documents, 47-year-old Brian William Biehl and another trooper met with a prosecutor from the attorney general’s office Oct. 21 to review evidence for an upcoming trial.

It was discovered that $3,850 was missing from an evidence bag in the case. Later, authorities found that $1,540 was missing from another case, according to the affidavit.

This missing cash triggered an investigation by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Soon after, Biehl contacted his sergeant and asked to meet in White Lake, where he told him he had taken the money, court documents say.

Highway Patrol trooper charged with grand theft

During an interview with an investigator, Biehl admitted to stealing thousands of dollars from drug cases over the last five years, court documents say. Biehl told the investigator he didn’t have drug, alcohol or gambling problems. He just mismanaged his money, court documents say.

Biehl estimated he took about $53,000 in seized drug money, but investigators determined he’d taken $69,668 from 15 different seizures of money between May 5, 2012, and Oct. 19, 2016, court documents say.

Biehl faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine on the grand theft charge.

Biehl was a trooper for almost 15 years and worked in the Chamberlain area. He is no longer employed with the Highway Patrol, according to Department of Public Safety spokesman Tony Mangan.

Intoxication charge dismissed against SkyWest pilot