METHUEN — A 15-year veteran of the Essex County Sheriff's Department was put on unpaid administrative leave after his arrest Saturday on a heroin possession charge, sheriff's department spokesman Paul Fleming said yesterday.
John Bachta, 37, of Methuen was arrested about 12:25 p.m., near 85 Main St., in Tewksbury and was charged with a single count of possession of heroin.
He was later released on bail for arraignment in Lowell District Court.
"As soon as this department received information of the arrest, Mr. Bachta was placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation that is ongoing at this time," Fleming said.
Bachta began his career with the sheriff's department in May 1993 as a corrections officer, Fleming said.
He was promoted to sergeant in September 1999, and began working in the department's security and investigations unit in July 2001, Fleming said.
"He has had no disciplinary record during his tenure here," Fleming said.
Bachta is the son of retired Lawrence police Deputy Chief Stanley Bachta.
Tewksbury police did not return a phone call seeking comment for this story.
