WHEELING — The former commander of the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force will spend three years on probation and pay more than $75,000 in restitution after pleading guilty in federal court to one count of theft from programs receiving federal funds.

In that judgment filed Thursday, David Drahos must immediately begin making payments of $200 a month, provide his probation officer with any financial information requested and not open any new lines of credit without prior approval of his probation officer.

Further, Drahos can’t engage in any form of gambling, nor can he enter any casino or other establishment where gambling is the primary purpose. He must also begin a gambling addiction program.

That addiction is what Drahos said led him to steal more than $75,000 from the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force. Drahos pleaded guilty to the charge on June 23. The maximum penalty for that charge was up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

In a written statement as part of his plea, Drahos said he would take money from a “buy bag” and from a safe kept at the task force after developing a gambling problem in January 2022. When no one noticed the money was gone, he said, he took more. As task force commander, a position he held for four years, part of his job was to oversee funds coming in and out of the task force.

He finally admitted to federal law enforcement that he took the money, ultimately totaling $75,124.44. Agents found empty evidence bags in his desk and his car. Drahos must make full restitution with the stolen money.

Drahos was hired by Wheeling Police in 1998 and resigned on Jan. 28, 2022.