Lawyers may be working on a plea deal for a former Natrona County deputy coroner suspected of wrongfully taking prescription drugs from death scenes.

A prosecutor confirmed Thursday he has requested a change of plea hearing for Gary Hazen, who was charged in February with drug possession and failing to account for prescription drugs received by virtue of his office.

Special Prosecutor Scott Homar declined to comment on whether a plea deal had been reached. But he did say that, in general, change of plea hearings happen because an agreement has been reached.

Hazen's attorney, John Robinson, declined to comment about the hearing request.

Hazen has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains free on $2,500 bond. He has not spoken publicly about the allegations since state agents revealed their investigation in November.

He faces 10 charges with a maximum combined penalty of 51 years in prison.

As of Thursday, a change of hearing had not been scheduled and Hazen's trial was still set to begin Aug. 18 in Natrona County District Court.

Homar said any change of plea hearing would be held in Casper.

Agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation searched Hazen's home last fall and reported finding several varieties of painkillers and other drugs - including liquid morphine, Vicodin and Oxycodone - in a hidden room under the stairs.

The investigation of Hazen dates back to at least December 2007, according to court documents filed by authorities. Agents interviewed more than 50 people, including co-workers who expressed suspicions about him. One coroner's office employee even photographed and documented prescription drugs collected from death scenes.

The coroner's office put Hazen on leave in November and fired him the following month. He had worked full-time for the county since 2002.

Homar and an out-of-town judge are handling the case because of Hazen's work with law enforcement in Natrona County.

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com. Read his blog at tribtown.trib.com/JoshuaWolfson/blog.