Mark Mueller, 51, of Columbia, was charged with tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution and stealing of less than $500.

MOBERLY, Mo. — A Moberly police officer is facing two felony charges after being arrested Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Mark Mueller, 51, of Columbia, was charged with tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution and stealing of less than $500, according to online court documents.

Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Fusselman requested that the Missouri State Highway Patrol conduct the investigation after noticing an issue with the inventory of evidence seized during a drug raid Dec. 1, 2016, in Moberly, Bernhardt said.

“Basically, during the search, there was some currency seized, and it was later determined that what was listed on the search warrant inventory did not include the denominations of currency observed by another Moberly police officer,” Bernhardt said.

Mueller became a person of interest during the course of the investigation and was arrested by the MSHP and taken to the Macon County Sheriff's Office on a 24-hour hold, said MSHP Sgt. Brent Bernhardt. Mueller was being held on a $10,000 bond, according to online court documents.

Mueller no longer works for the Moberly Police Department, said MPD Chief Troy Link.

“Mark Mueller is not employed with the department,” he said. “He was terminated as a result of the investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.”

The Highway Patrol regularly conducts investigations of public servants and public entities upon request after following protocol and receiving authorization, Bernhardt said.

As of Friday morning, online court records did not list an attorney for Mueller. Fusselman and Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Stephanie Luntsford and Adrienne Spiller were listed as prosecutors.

Mueller is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Fusselman did not immediately respond to a phone request for comment.