Drug diversion cases in Iowa
16 documented cases, 2018–2026.
Figures are derived from the 730 case records collected on this site, not from official state totals.
Custodial sentences stated
Shortest: 1 month
Longest: 48 months (4 years)
8 prison or jail terms stated in 8 of 16 records. Probation, supervised release, home confinement and suspended terms are not counted.
Monetary penalties stated
Smallest: $593
Largest: $31,998
12 amounts in US dollars (civil settlements and penalties, criminal fines, restitution, forfeiture) in 9 of 16 records.
Drug classes involved
| Drug class | Records |
|---|---|
| Opioids | 14 |
| Other controlled substance | 2 |
| Benzodiazepines | 1 |
A record naming drugs from two classes counts in both.
Settings involved
| Setting | Records |
|---|---|
| Hospital / health system | 7 |
| Other / not classified | 4 |
| Long-term care | 2 |
| Retail pharmacy | 2 |
| Ambulatory surgery / OR | 1 |
Cases
Newest first
- LeMars Nurse Sentenced for Diverting Fentanyl and Hydromorphone, Falsifying Patient Records 2026-07-09 · LeMars, Iowa · Other / not classified
- Pharmacy Owner Sentenced for Diverting Opioids From His Own Iowa Pharmacy 2025-07-28 · Fairfield, Iowa · Retail pharmacy
- Pharmacist Sentenced for Diverting Controlled Substances From Mason City Pharmacies 2025-06-17 · Mason City, Iowa · Other / not classified
- Facility Administrator Sentenced for Diverting Opioids From Five Senior-Care Facilities 2025-05-28 · Iowa · Other / not classified
- Nurse Anesthetist Sentenced for Diverting Fentanyl from ~50 Patients 2025-04-02 · Dubuque, Iowa · Hospital / health system
- Labor & Delivery Nurse Stole Pain Meds from 50+ New Mothers 2024-03-27 · Waterloo, Iowa · Hospital / health system
- Iowa Nurse Pleads Guilty to Diverting Controlled Substances from Life Care Center 2023-11-30 · Carroll, Iowa · Long-term care
- Iowa Nurse Pleads Guilty to Diverting Fentanyl from Waterloo Hospital via False Wasting 2023-10-11 · Waterloo, Iowa · Hospital / health system
- Sioux City Nurse Pleads Guilty to Stealing Opioids from Hospital Employer 2023-08-31 · Sioux City, Iowa · Hospital / health system
- Iowa Nurse Pleads Guilty to Diverting Fentanyl From Elderly Patients' IV Pumps 2022-11-21 · Clear Lake, Iowa · Other / not classified
- Dubuque Pharmacist Sentenced for Stealing and Tampering With Patients' Medications 2022-10-31 · Dubuque, Iowa · Retail pharmacy
- Cedar Rapids Surgery Center Nurse Sentenced for Tampering With Fentanyl Vials 2022-01-21 · Cedar Rapids, Iowa · Ambulatory surgery / OR
- Eastern Iowa ICU Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Patient's Fentanyl and Morphine 2020-06-26 · Cedar Rapids, Iowa · Hospital / health system
- CRNA Tampered with Fentanyl Vials at Charles City Hospital 2020-05-29 · Charles City, Iowa · Hospital / health system
- Iowa Nursing Home Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Patients' Pain Medication 2020-01-28 · Manchester, Iowa · Long-term care
- Pharmacy Technician Diverts Fentanyl at Iowa Methodist Medical Center 2018-07-10 · Des Moines, Iowa · Hospital / health system
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Disclaimer
Case summaries are based on public records (DOJ press releases, court documents, news reports). Charges are allegations unless a conviction is noted. Analysis is educational, not legal advice.
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