A former FBI agent pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to 64 criminal charges related to the theft of heroin that law enforcement agencies seized as evidence in drug investigations conducted in the D.C. region.
The plea was expected from 33-year-old Matthew Lowry, who has cooperated with authorities since his theft scheme was uncovered last year after the agent was found unconscious and slumped over the wheel of his car following a heroin overdose. The charges against Lowry have led federal prosecutors to dismiss criminal charges against 26 defendants and to abandon at least five major drug investigations.
Lowry faces between seven to nine years in prison through his plea agreement under sentencing guidelines proposed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He could have faced up to a maximum up 51 years in prison for the 64 criminal charges, which included 20 counts of obstruction of justice, 18 counts of falsification of records, 13 counts of conversion of property, and 13 counts of possession of heroin.
Prosecutors said Lowry checked out bags containing as much as 775 grams of heroin from the evidence control center at the FBI’s Washington Field Office. He would keep the bags of heroin for months at a time, using the drugs occasionally and then replacing the missing heroin with protein supplement powders to cover his tracks.
Attorney Robert Bonsib said his client stole the heroin after developing an addiction to pain medication he was prescribed to treat a long-standing medical condition. He said Lowry continues to receive treatment and counseling.
During the hearing Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the District, Lowry answered standard questions from Judge Thomas F. Hogan before pleading guilty.
Asked if he was undergoing treatment for narcotic drugs, he answered, “Yes.”
Judge Hogan allowed Lowry to remain free pending his sentencing, which was scheduled for June 29.
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“He has a lot of support in terms of family,” Mr. Bonsib said, noting that Lowry is currently living with his mother, father and wife at his parents’ home.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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