TOGUS — A pharmacy technician at the VA Maine Healthcare Systems — Togus admitted in federal court last week that she pocketed a variety of medication.

Rebecca J. Hamlin, 61, of Winslow, pleaded guilty to theft of public money, a misdemeanor offense, in U.S. District Court in Bangor.

She remains free pending sentencing.

Her attorney, Ronald Bourget said Tuesday that Hamlin has retired from Togus. Bourget said Hamlin’s sentencing hearing would be scheduled following a presentence investigation. He also said the maximum penalty on the conviction is 364 days in jail and that Hamlin has no prior criminal record.

According to the government’s version of the offense, filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Moore, a lead pharmacy technician saw Hamlin “suspiciously attempt to conceal an unlabeled pharmacy vial (plastic bottle) in her purse at her VA work station” on Jan. 17.

A pharmacy supervisor checked the vial, which was visible in Hamlin’s purse, and a subsequent search found additional pharmacy medication in a tote bag at Hamlin’s work station.

Moore’s filing says the medication found in Hamlin’s possession “included acetaminophen, simvastatin, phrenilin, naproxen and a hydrocodone tablet.”

Hamlin told Togus police in two January interviews that she stole medication from the pharmacy, including an entire bottle of phrenilin, a medication used to treat headaches.

Betty Adams — 621-5631badams@centralmaine.comTwitter: @betadams