Three civilian employees at Hill Air Force Base accused of using cocaine while on the job have been charged in Utah federal court with distribution or possession of the drug.
The complaints filed by federal prosecutors charge Nevin James Sheldon, 39, Layton, and James Thomas Valdez, 29, Farmington, with possession of cocaine and Gregory J. Acosta, 34, Salt Lake City, with cocaine distribution.The mechanics are accused of using cocaine on Oct. 18. All three were arrested Friday and suspended from their jobs.
An affidavit from an agent of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations shows hidden video cameras were installed in a back room of Building 1917.
Agent Joe Aquirre said recordings taken at 9:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Oct. 18 show Acosta entered the room and formed a white powdery substance into lines on a glass portion of a pressure gauge.
After allegedly inhaling one line into his nose, Acosta left the room and was followed by Valdez and then Sheldon, Aquirre said. The same procedure was allegedly repeated in the afternoon, except only two lines were drawn, and Acosta left the room, re-entered and snorted a line after Valdez.
Samples of the powder taken from the glass were analyzed by the Weber State College crime lab and determined to be cocaine, the agent said.