Yakima County Coroner Jim Curtice admits drug use on duty

Yakima County, Washington – More information on the allegations against Yakima County Coroner Jim Curtice that have just surfaced.

On August 27, Curtice called Yakima police claiming someone had mixed drugs into his energy drink at work the day before.

He told police that the day before he took a sip it tasted pretty sour and then spit it out.

He was eventually taken to the hospital after he was found unconscious in his office.

After he left the hospital, he took a drug test that detected fentanyl in his urine.

The water in his tea kettle contained traces of fentanyl and cocaine.

On August 29, investigators found drugs on his desk.

Curtice originally stated that he believed someone else had placed these drugs on his desk.

On September 12, the YPD gave Curtice a lie detector test, which revealed evidence of deception.

After learning the results, Curtice admitted to using drugs three times a week at his desk for several months.

He said he got the drugs from deceased bodies.

This case was referred to the Ellensburg District Attorney's Office for charging decision due to a conflict of interest in Yakima.