Diversion Case Studies

VA medical center nurse pleads guilty to diverting and tampering with psychiatric patients' stimulant medications

White River Junction, VT

A nurse at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in White River Junction pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing drugs prescribed to patients and consuming them herself over a roughly eight-month period. She was charged with two counts of diverting drugs from psychiatric ward patients and tampering with the medications to conceal her use, and the plea agreement states she diverted controlled substances in a variety of ways. According to one count, she removed amphetamine/dextroamphetamine from capsules, separated them in half and administered the empty and nearly empty capsules to patients; to conceal her consumption she replaced tablets with hydroxyzine, an antihistamine. The second count states she knowingly and intentionally acquired amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate by misrepresentation, fraud, deception and subterfuge, and her plea agreement stipulates forfeiture of her nursing license.

Hospice owner accused of reusing deceased patients' narcotics and moving medications between cities

Omaha, NE

The Nebraska Attorney General's Office filed disciplinary charges against a registered nurse who owned an Omaha hospice, alleging misappropriation of medications, improper handling and dispensing of controlled substances, and violations of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The petition alleged that narcotics belonging to deceased patients were stored in an unlocked cabinet and that staff used medications from that supply for other patients without proper prescriptions, with employees instructed to document the medications of deceased patients as "destroyed" when they were actually being re-used. The nurse was also accused of transporting medications from deceased Lincoln patients to Omaha, allowing unlicensed staff to sign patient records as licensed professionals, and failing to report and misrepresenting misdemeanor convictions on license renewal applications. Under an agreed settlement, the nurse's license was suspended for 90 days, ethics training was ordered, and a $10,000.00 civil penalty was assessed.

Hospice executive director accused of keeping unlocked cabinet of deceased patients' narcotics

Omaha, NE

The Nebraska Attorney General's Office filed disciplinary charges against the former executive director of an Omaha hospice, a licensed practical nurse, alleging misappropriation of medications, improper handling and dispensing of controlled substances, record falsification, practicing beyond the authorized scope, ethics violations, and violations of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The nurse was accused of keeping an unlocked cabinet of narcotics from deceased patients in her office, directing employees to return unused medications, and signing patient records as a physician, social worker and volunteer coordinator. The petition in the same matter alleged that narcotics of deceased patients were re-used for other patients and documented as "destroyed." Under an agreed settlement, the nurse's license was suspended for 90 days, ethics training was ordered, and a $10,000.00 civil penalty was assessed.

Indiana hospital pharmacy placed on probation after multi-year opioid diversion by pharmacy manager

The Indiana Board of Pharmacy voted 3-2 to accept a revised settlement with a Muncie hospital over what board members described as one of the largest known drug diversion cases in the state. The agreement places the hospital's pharmacy license on probation for at least three years, imposes a $44,000 civil fine tied to 44 alleged administrative violations, and requires quarterly outside audits and additional diversion-prevention training. Reported losses included more than 32,000 milliliters of hydromorphone, more than 3,300 milliliters of methadone solution and more than 4,000 methadone tablets; the former pharmacy manager faces pending felony charges that remain allegations.

Orlando pharmacy and pharmacist settle Controlled Substances Act allegations over Schedule V distribution and recordkeeping

An Orlando pharmacy and its pharmacist agreed to pay the United States $50,000 to resolve allegations that they improperly distributed Schedule V drugs and committed multiple recordkeeping violations under the Controlled Substances Act between December 2021 and March 2024. The allegations arose from a DEA investigation that included an on-site inspection in March 2024. The pharmacy surrendered its DEA registration for cause in May 2024 and ceased operating in September 2025. The civil settlement resolves the allegations and is not a finding of liability.

Peoria Pharmacist Forged Oxycodone Prescriptions for Personal Use and Sale

Peoria, Arizona

Michael Maurice Jadda, a licensed pharmacist in Peoria, Arizona, was charged June 24, 2026 as part of a 42-defendant Arizona Attorney General health care fraud takedown. Prosecutors allege Jadda generated fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions and diverted the controlled substances for his own use and for sale on the street.

Indiana assisted-living nurse charged over oxycodone cart discrepancies

A former licensed practical nurse at a Carmel assisted living facility is charged with two felonies after the facility found her medication cart held fewer oxycodone doses than expected. A facility review identified 16 instances between April and August 2025 in which oxycodone was withdrawn for two residents without a record of administration. The nurse told investigators she may have forgotten to chart doses on busy nights; the charges are allegations and the case is pending in Hamilton County Superior Court 4.

Tampa Bay Nurse Sentenced to Two Years for Tampering with and Stealing Injectable Opioids

Tampa, Florida

Lauren Hornbuckle, 37, of Seminole, a Florida-licensed registered nurse, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven to two years in federal prison for tampering with and stealing morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl from a Tampa Bay hospital for her own use. The sentence was imposed June 11, 2026.

Puerto Rico Anesthesia Nurse Indicted for Replacing Fentanyl with Clear Liquid

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Jackeline Correa-Vázquez, 45, was indicted on May 28, 2026 by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on eight counts for tampering with fentanyl. She allegedly removed fentanyl citrate from hospital vials and replaced it with clear liquid, and was released on a $10,000 bond pending trial.

Puerto Rico nurse anesthetist indicted on federal charges of tampering with fentanyl vials

A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an eight-count indictment on May 28, 2026 against a 45-year-old advanced practice nurse licensed in anesthesia, announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office on June 2, 2026. Prosecutors allege the nurse accessed and unlawfully obtained vials of fentanyl citrate intended for patient care, removed the drug and replaced it with clear liquid to conceal the theft. The charges are four counts of tampering with consumer products and four counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud. An indictment is only an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

VA hospital psychiatric nurse diverted amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate and tampered with patient medications

White River Junction, VT

A registered nurse at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in White River Junction, Vermont, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Burlington to diverting drugs from psychiatric ward patients and tampering with medications between March 2025 and Nov. 20, 2025. The nurse admitted taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine capsules from patients, removing the regulated ingredients, and returning empty or nearly empty capsules to circulation, and removing methylphenidate tablets and replacing them with hydroxyzine tablets for administration to patients. The nurse also pleaded guilty to a second felony count of acquiring amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate through fraud and deception. Sentencing is planned for Oct. 23, with a plea agreement capping the proposed sentence at 24 months and the maximum penalty at 14 years and $500,000; the nurse agreed to forfeit a New Hampshire nursing license.

New Jersey psychiatrist pleaded guilty to 17 felony counts for invalid stimulant and benzodiazepine prescriptions

In June 2026, federal prosecutors announced that a Cape May County, New Jersey psychiatrist pleaded guilty to 17 felony counts related to issuing invalid prescriptions for controlled substances including Adderall, Vyvanse and Xanax. The physician admitted prescribing outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, including to patients with known histories of substance abuse and overdose. Prosecutors alleged the prescriptions were written with intent to mislead pharmacies, insurers and government benefit programs. The physician surrendered a DEA registration and agreed to give up medical and psychiatry licenses, with sentencing set for October 2026.

Utah nurse charged after police found thousands of prescription pills in home safe

A Herriman, Utah nurse was arrested on June 3, 2026 after police served a search warrant at her home and reported finding thousands of prescription pills and more than $50,000 in cash in a safe. Police said the investigation began in early 2026 and included controlled purchases of pills that tested positive for oxycodone. She was charged with possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I or II controlled substance, possession of a prescription drug for an unlawful purpose, and possession of marijuana; the charges are allegations. State licensing records showed an active registered nurse license with no prior discipline.

Licensed pharmacist charged with diverting oxycodone via fraudulent prescriptions for personal use and sale

Peoria, AZ

A licensed pharmacist was charged with fraud, aggravated identity theft, forgery, and four counts of sale or transportation of narcotic drugs. The state alleges that the pharmacist abused their position to generate fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone and diverted the controlled substances for personal use and sale. The charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Metro-Detroit pharmacy technician pleads guilty to health care fraud and illegal oxycodone distribution

A pharmacy technician who worked at three metro-Detroit pharmacies pleaded guilty in federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and possession with intent to illegally distribute oxycodone. Court documents describe a scheme from 2019 through 2022 in which the technician and a co-conspirator billed Medicare, Medicaid and a private insurer for medications never prescribed or dispensed, using forged prescriptions, causing losses of over $5.6 million. The technician also provided unlawful oxycodone prescriptions to drug traffickers in exchange for cash. Sentencing was scheduled for September 1.

Licensed practical nurse charged with stealing oxycodone from resident at Simpsonville Post Acute

Greenville County, SC

Investigators alleged that a licensed practical nurse at Simpsonville Post Acute knowingly and intentionally took a quantity of oxycodone belonging to a resident on October 8, 2025, and diverted the resident's prescribed oxycodone for personal use. The nurse was arrested and charged with one count of Theft of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense. The facility reported the alleged misconduct to law enforcement and cooperated with the investigation. The attorney general's office noted that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Metro-Detroit pharmacy technician pleaded guilty to health care fraud and illegal oxycodone distribution

A pharmacy technician who worked at three metro-Detroit pharmacies pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and possession with intent to illegally distribute oxycodone. According to court documents described in the report, from 2019 through 2022 the technician and a co-conspirator billed Medicare, Medicaid and a private insurer for prescriptions that were never ordered by a doctor or dispensed, using forged prescriptions, causing over $5.6 million in losses. During the same period the technician provided unlawful oxycodone prescriptions to drug traffickers in exchange for cash.

Indiana Emergency Nurse Sentenced Over Fentanyl Documentation Falsification

Fort Wayne, Indiana

A former emergency-room nurse at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne was sentenced to two years, suspended to probation, after pleading guilty to stealing fentanyl meant for a patient in extreme pain and falsifying records of when and how much medication had been given through the hospital's automated dispensing system.

South Carolina Practical Nurse Charged Over Care Facility Oxycodone Theft

Simpsonville, South Carolina

A licensed practical nurse at Simpsonville Post Acute in Greenville County was charged with theft of a controlled substance after South Carolina's Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit accused her of taking a resident's Oxycodone for her own use.

Montana Health Center Nursing Director Sentenced for Tampering With Fentanyl

Jordan, Montana

Kailyn Marie Smotherman, 35, of Sand Springs, Montana, served as nursing director at Garfield County Health Center. Staff discovered the tampering when they entered her locked office to retrieve a narcotics log and found it in disarray with hospital stock narcotics, an IV pole, tourniquets, needles, replacement vial caps and labels, and suspected blood on surfaces. A search recovered numerous tampered or emptied fentanyl vials and other controlled substances, and an FDA forensic chemist confirmed tampering and adulteration; staff reported concern that patients may have received saline instead of pain medication in the months before the discovery. Smotherman pleaded guilty in December 2025 to tampering with consumer products and was sentenced on April 29, 2026, to three years of probation.

Pennsylvania mail-order pharmacy technician accused of diverting wakefulness-drug tablets

An agent of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General accused a pharmacy technician at a health system mail-order pharmacy of drug diversion, according to an affidavit described in an April 2026 news report. The affidavit states that an audit found 300 tablets of solriamfetol unaccounted for, after which the drug was moved into camera view and counted daily. Surveillance later showed the technician carrying an open bottle out of camera range at a time when no order for that drug was being filled, the affidavit says. The accusations are allegations, and the report describes no court disposition.

Chesapeake Hospital Nurse Pleads Guilty to Diverting Hydromorphone From Cancer and Sickle-Cell Patients

Chesapeake, Virginia

Michelle Kollmar, 56, a registered nurse who treated sickle-cell anemia and cancer comfort-care patients, used patients' identifying information to access an automated medication-dispensing system and divert vials of hydromorphone. She later returned syringes — some nearly expired, some containing only water — in place of the medication, including on occasions when she accessed the machine while off duty. Video surveillance captured her diverting and replacing the vials, and she tested positive for hydromorphone she was not prescribed. Kollmar pleaded guilty on April 24, 2026, to obtaining controlled substances by fraud.

Former Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Redistributing Patients' Unused Opioid Pills

Auburn, New York

Andrew Catalone, 72, of Youngsville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on April 9, 2026 to unlawfully possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, after collecting unused medications patients returned to him and redistributing the pills without prescriptions. Sentencing is set for August 18, 2026.

Registered nurse removed fentanyl from medication safe without order or documentation and failed to document controlled substance administration/wasting; license revoked

The Board found that a registered nurse removed fentanyl from a medication safe without a written order and without documenting the removal on seven dates while employed at a surgery center. The Board also found the nurse failed to document the administration or wasting of controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydromorphone, tramadol, alprazolam, and lorazepam, and delayed the wasting of controlled substances after dispensing them. At a nursing and rehabilitation center, the nurse wasted oxycodone without allowing the witnessing nurse to verify the medication. The Board revoked the nurse's registered nurse license.

Hospital nurse accused of stealing opioids from patients at Grand Strand Medical Center

Horry County, SC

A registered nurse at Grand Strand Medical Center in Horry County, South Carolina, was arrested and accused of stealing opioid drugs from patients. An arrest warrant alleges the nurse stole oxycodone, hydromorphone, and fentanyl on six separate occasions between January and April 2026 under the guise of providing them to patients. The nurse allegedly either failed to document taking the drugs or fraudulently documented them as administered to a patient. The nurse was charged with theft of controlled substances and violating drug distribution law and was released after posting $12,000 bail.