A 31-year-old Cheyenne woman could face up to 12-and-a-half years in prison after allegedly stealing pain pills from her former employer.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation arrested Ashley Sheehan on charges of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, felony possession of Tramadol and misdemeanor theft on Nov. 1.

According to an affidavit, Avenues Pet Clinic fired Sheehan on Aug. 7 for allegedly stealing Tramadol and fraudulently calling in prescriptions for Tramadol for her dog, but using the pills for self-abuse.

A veterinary technician told investigators that Sheehan -- the office receptionist -- started working at the clinic in July 2016 and had a key with access to controlled substances. The tech also told investigators that an audit showed Sheehan took approximately 2,000 dosage units of Tramadol in a 10-12 month period.

During an Aug. 25 interview, Sheehan told investigators she began diverting the Tramadol in Dec. 2016. She said her typical method of diverting pills was to void prescriptions to patients when they decided they didn't want them.

Investigators say Sheehan told them she began using roughly "no more than ten" daily to help her get through the day. She said 2,000 pills "could be close" to the amount she either used or diverted from the clinic.

Sheehan's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9 in Laramie County Circuit Court.

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