MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A woman accused of stealing prescription drugs turned in to the Mason City Police Department has been given a year of probation. Cerro Gordo County court records say 44-year-old Melinda Severs, of Dumont, entered a written plea of guilty Monday to unlawful possession of a prescription drug. Prosecutors dropped a second count in exchange.
Severs also was granted a deferred judgment, which means her conviction can to be removed from court records if she fulfills her probation terms.

Authorities say Severs was working as an administrative assistant for the department when she took the medications. The department building is a collection site for unused and unwanted medicines. Severs no longer works for the police.