MAY 2024:
U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Tea, South Dakota, woman convicted of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception, and Subterfuge. The sentencing took place on May 24, 2024.
Brittany Enstad, age 40, was sentenced to two years of probation and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Enstad was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. She pleaded guilty on March 6, 2024.
The conviction stemmed from incidents between July 1, 2022, and December 30, 2022, when Enstad, who was working at a registered nurse at the Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center in Canton, South Dakota, obtained blister packs from the narcotics cabinet containing OxyContin, removed the OxyContin, and replaced the drug with other medications, such as melatonin and acetaminophen. Enstad then resealed the blister packs knowing that the other medications could be dispensed to patients at the medical center instead of OxyContin. Enstad used the stolen OxyContin for her own use.
“Patients deserve to have confidence that they are receiving the proper treatment from those entrusted with providing their medical care. Those who knowingly tamper with medicines for patients put those patients’ health at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Ronne Malham, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Chicago Field Office. “Our office will continue to pursue and bring to justice healthcare professionals who take advantage of their position and compromise patients’ health and comfort by tampering with needed drugs.”
This case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigation and the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
JUNE 2023:
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a 39 year old woman from Tea for Tampering with Consumer Products and Obtaining Controlled Substances by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception, and Subterfuge.
Brittany Enstad pleaded not guilty.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to $800 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between on or about July 1, 2022, and December 30, 2022, Enstad, who was employed as a licensed registered nurse at a medical facility, tampered with blister packs containing OxyContin, Hydrocodone Bitartrate, Oxycodone Hydrochloride, and Oxycodone and Acetaminophen, by removing the medications from their blister packs and replacing them with different medications.
The Indictment also alleges that during the same period of time, Enstad knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained OxyContin, Hydrocodone Bitartrate, Oxycodone Hydrochloride, and Oxycodone and Acetaminophen, which are all Schedule II controlled substances.
The investigation is being conducted by the FDA, DEA, HHS-OIG, and Canton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.
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