Nika Larsen, the former Oregon State Police forensic scientist from Bend, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to two counts of obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud and deception, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Larsen, 36, who worked at the OSP labs in Pendleton and Bend, used her position to steal drugs from evidence submitted to the crime labs for analysis and testing, according to a news release.

She is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 12, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated, and the prosecution and defense are recommending she receive a 3-year prison sentence.

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