NEW PORT RICHEY Fla Feb 21 2013 — John Nohejl, the New Port Richey police officer arrested in Hernando County on Jan. 17 on several felony narcotics charges, was officially fired Feb. 12 at the end of a months-long investigation.
Nohejl, 35, had already been on suspension since April for sleeping on the job and neglecting his duties. In November, the Police Department launched an internal affairs investigation on suspicion that he was using prescription drugs.
The investigation revealed that Nohejl had managed to get his hands on hundreds of pills of oxycodone, OxyContin and diazepam and took them while on duty, the investigation report states.
When asked about the pills, the report states, Nohejl falsely told other officers that he needed the pills after hurting his back in an on-the-job fall. He also passed drug tests using clean urine from other people.
After his arrest in January, Nohejl was charged with drug trafficking, possession of cocaine, tampering with physical evidence, fleeing to elude authorities and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was ultimately fired from the department for failing to report the arrest to his supervisors and for refusing to cooperate during the internal affairs investigation.
Nohejl remained in the Hernando County jail Tuesday night.
Nohejl, 35, had already been on suspension since April for sleeping on the job and neglecting his duties. In November, the Police Department launched an internal affairs investigation on suspicion that he was using prescription drugs.
The investigation revealed that Nohejl had managed to get his hands on hundreds of pills of oxycodone, OxyContin and diazepam and took them while on duty, the investigation report states.
When asked about the pills, the report states, Nohejl falsely told other officers that he needed the pills after hurting his back in an on-the-job fall. He also passed drug tests using clean urine from other people.
After his arrest in January, Nohejl was charged with drug trafficking, possession of cocaine, tampering with physical evidence, fleeing to elude authorities and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was ultimately fired from the department for failing to report the arrest to his supervisors and for refusing to cooperate during the internal affairs investigation.
Nohejl remained in the Hernando County jail Tuesday night.