By Tim Eberly
A former Hill County government employee was charged last Wednesday in Justice Court with burglary and possession of dangerous drugs after she was accused of attempting to steal prescription drugs from a Havre residence.
A Havre police officer arrested Cheryl Sather, 49, of Havre at 10 a.m. Jan. 8 while she hid in a bathroom inside a stranger's home, according to the criminal complaint.
Sather, a registered nurse with the Hill County Health Department who was terminated Jan. 1, was found with three bottles of prescription medication, a bag of coffee and a handful of quarters in her possession, the complaint said. The property belonged to the homeowners.
If convicted, Sather faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
The criminal complaint said a neighbor on Cypress Drive noticed Sather approach the residence, knock on the door and walk inside. The neighbor called the residence's owner, who was at a nearby house having tea, and she returned to check on the house.
Upon her arrival, she found a light on in her bedroom. When she checked the bedroom closet, the woman saw Sather crouching in a corner behind a clothing bag, the complaint said.
Sather told the homeowner she was looking for a woman who worked with Alcoholics Anonymous because she had been drinking the previous night, according to the document. When the woman started to call 911, Sather attempted to shove her out of her way. The resident did not budge, so Sather went into the bathroom.
Sather was hired as a registered nurse with the Hill County Health Department in September 2000, but was terminated about two weeks ago, County Commissioner Doug Kaercher said.
