Former FBI Agent Gets 3 Years In Drug Tampering Case

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An FBI agent accused of abusing heroin from his own drug investigations and in the process botching dozens of cases has been sentenced to 3 years in prison.

Thirty-three-year-old Matthew Lowry of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, formerly a special agent with the agency's Washington field office, was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Washington.

Lowry pleaded guilty in April to 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 say guidelines recommend he spend at least seven years in prison.

Court documents say the accusations against Lowry caused prosecutors to dismiss charges against at least 28 defendants.