SENTENCING FOR CHEMIST WHO TOOK DRUGS DELAYED

Sentencing has been rescheduled to Nov. 28 for a former Washington State
Patrol chemist who has pleaded guilty to pilfering heroin sent to his lab
for forensic tests.

Michael Hoover, 51, of Edmonds in July pleaded guilty to tampering with
physical evidence and official misconduct, both gross misdemeanors. His
sentencing, originally scheduled for mid-September, was to have occurred
Thursday. The hearing was postponed because of scheduling problems.

Hoover could face up to two years behind bars, although prosecutors are
recommending he serve about half that much time, perhaps in work release.

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Joseph Thibodeau on Thursday ordered
lawyers to determine prior to the November hearing whether Hoover qualifies
for work release.

Hoover worked as a crime lab chemist for 25 years, first in California and
for the last 11 years at the State Patrol's Marysville crime lab.

Patrol detectives began investigating after co-workers became concerned
about Hoover's insistence on handling heroin cases. A hidden camera caught
him repeatedly stealing heroin. Hoover admitted he was sniffing small
amounts of purified heroin dust and using the drug to control back pain.

Hoover's misconduct has sent ripples through courts in seven Western
Washington counties, where questions have surfaced about evidence he
handled. In Snohomish County alone, up to 200 felony charges could be
dismissed, according to prosecutors.