A Russell County deputy sheriff has been charged with burglary, official misconduct and other charges.

The investigation that led to the deputy's arrest began Friday, when state police who were called to 144 Lakeway Drive in Russell Springs to investigate a burglary also found a "hazard waste overpack" thought to be evidence from an investigation by the Russell County Sheriff's Department, according to a news release from state police.

Overpacks are buckets police agencies use to seal and carry hazardous waste left over from meth labs, state police Trooper Jonathan Biven said.

Meth lab cleanup units were called to the scene "and discovered a one-step meth lab in the overpack that had been neutralized," according to the release.

The investigation led officers to get a warrant to search the home of Russell County Deputy Sheriff Nick Bertram, 26, of Jamestown. The search uncovered "items related to the burglary, as well as multiple meth lab overpacks, which were also suspected to be Russell County Sheriff's Department evidence," according to the release.

Officers also found a meth lab and "a large amount of drug paraphernalia."

Bertram is charged with third-degree burglary, official misconduct, tampering with physical evidence, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the Russell County Detention Center.

Karla Ward: (859) 231-3314. Twitter: @HLpublicsafety