LEWISBURG, W.Va. -- 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.