Le Mars, IA (Radio Iowa)– A former Plymouth County Deputy Sheriff has been sentenced to up to four decades in prison on theft and burglary charges.

Forty-three-year-old Aaron Leusink was accused of stealing prescription pain medication and other property from the evidence room at the sheriff’s department and from two pharmacies as well as homes in the area.

Leusink had over 16-hundred pills in his possession when he was arrested in the spring of 2020. He apologized to those involved at his sentencing hearing.

Leusink, who pleaded guilty to 11 different charges, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for first degree burglary, 10 years for second degree burglary and five years for felonious misconduct in office — for a total of 40 years in prison. Eight other counts for burglary, theft and unlawful possession of prescription drugs will be served concurrently.