Chula Vista
A police officer surrendered in Superior Court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to drug-related charges against him that are contained in a county grand jury indictment.
Nathaniel Hines Jr., a seven-year veteran of the Chula Vista Police Department who is on paid administrative leave, pleaded not guilty to 10 felony counts related to the possession and sale of ephedrine, a precursor chemical to the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Hines also pleaded not guilty to two counts of grand theft, a felony count of misappropriation of public funds, and a misdemeanor count of petty theft.
Superior Court Judge Frederic Link ordered that Hines be released on his own recognizance. Trial was set for Aug. 1.
Deputy Dist. Atty. William Collins said Hines is charged with selling ephedrine that had been seized by Chula Vista police. Prosecutors began investigating Hines after one of his informants was contacted by police and found to be carrying ephedrine, Collins said.
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