Natrona County's former chief deputy coroner pleaded guilty Tuesday to a pair of drug possession charges as part of a plea deal that would keep him out of jail if he completes probation.

Gary Hazen, 53, admitted to unlawfully possessing hydrocodone and methadone and said he obtained the drugs from the coroner's office. If a judge agrees to the plea deal, Hazen would receive a four- to six-year suspended prison sentence and 10 years of supervised probation.

Eight other charges against Hazen, including two counts of failing to account for prescription drugs received by virtue of his office, would be dismissed.

The plea, which Hazen made during a short hearing in Natrona County District Court, came more than eight months after state agents searched his Casper home while investigating allegations he wrongfully took prescription drugs from death scenes. Agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation reported finding several varieties of painkillers and other drugs in a hidden room under the stairs.

Judge Peter Arnold asked Hazen whether he agreed he'd violated the law.

"I do," Hazen replied.

Speaking after the hearing, Special Prosecutor Scott Homar confirmed Hazen would not serve time behind bars if he stays out of trouble. Arnold must also accept the plea deal at Hazen's sentencing, which is still six to eight weeks away.

Although the crimes Hazen admitted to each carry a maximum penalty of seven years behind bars, Homar said first-time drug possession generally does not result in prison.

"I looked at Mr. Hazen's case just as I would look at any other case that was similarly situated in order to determine what I thought was a fair and equitable plea agreement," he said.

Homar, who serves as the Laramie County District Attorney, is handling the case because Natrona County prosecutors worked with Hazen in the past.

Hazen's attorney, John Robinson, declined to comment after the hearing. Neither Robinson nor Hazen have spoken publicly about the case.

In court, Hazen wore a dark suit and answered questions in a clear voice. His wife watched the proceedings, as did Coroner James Thorpen and DCI Agent Tina Trimble, the lead investigator on the case.

Hazen, who is free on $2,500, left the courtroom without using the main doors, avoiding several members of the media in the process.

The drugs he admitted to possessing - hydrocodone and methadone - have medicinal purposes, but can also be abused. Hazen told the court he didn't have a prescription for either drug.

Hydrocodone is a painkiller and the most frequently prescribed opiate in the United States, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Methadone is commonly used to treat narcotic addiction.

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 his interest in prescription drugs. One coroner's office employee even photographed and documented medications collected from death scenes.

Hazen went on administrative leave in November after agents searched his home, the coroner's office and the county morgue. He was fired the following month.

In February, Hazen was arrested and briefly jailed after being charged with 10 felonies. He returned to court in April to plead not guilty.

Hazen worked full-time for the coroner's office from 2002 to 2008. He formerly worked as a police officer and as a campus supervisor for the Natrona County School District.

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