UPDATE 9/27/12 @ 10 a.m.
LEWISBURG, W.Va. (AP) -- A special prosecutor has been appointed in the investigation of the disappearance of drugs and cash from the Greenbrier County Sheriff's Department.

Media outlets say the Prosecuting Attorneys Institute named Raleigh County prosecutor Kristin Keller as special prosecutor for the case. The West Virginia State Police is conducting the investigation.

Greenbrier County prosecutor Patrick I. Via asked to be removed from the case. Via said in his request that the investigation's target is a former deputy sheriff who has a pending caseload.

State police and Sheriff James Childers say the sheriff's department's evidence room isn't involved in the investigation.

The Associated Press says court documents filed by prosecutor Patrick Via show a former employee is suspected of taking controlled substances and cash from the department.

The missing drugs and money were reported in August.

Via requested the appointment of a special prosecutor for the case due to a conflict of interest.

The investigation was turned over to the West Virginia State Police following an internal probe.