Jolie King, Stealing Controlled Drugs, Louisiana 2023

A devastating crime has shaken the community in Louisiana as a former VA nurse has been found guilty of stealing controlled drugs from a VA clinic in Pineville, Louisiana. Jolie King, 40, of Alexandria, pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulently obtaining Hydromorphone, a powerful opioid designed to relieve pain, but can also be abused and sold on the black market.

While working as a registered nurse at the VA Medical Center Urgent Care Clinic, King used her position to access the clinic’s narcotics supply cabinet and retrieve vials of controlled substance medications that were intended for the treatment of patients. In a disturbing twist, King admitted that she used the drugs for her own personal use, logging into the narcotics supply cabinet, randomly selecting a patient’s name, and then withdrawing the drugs without a physician’s orders.

One instance of King’s deceit was particularly brazen, as she attempted to avoid detection by refilling two vials with saline solution and placing them back in the supply cabinet. The scope of King’s theft was staggering, with approximately 31 vials of Hydromorphone and two vials of Morphine being fraudulently acquired over a period of 14 months, from September 2017 to October 2018.

King faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a $250,000 fine for her crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan is prosecuting the case, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of prescription medication abuse and the devastating consequences of stealing controlled substances. The community is left to wonder how such a heinous crime could have occurred, and what measures can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has vowed to hold individuals accountable for their actions, and the public is urged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. In a statement, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph said, ‘We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities and hold those who would seek to harm them accountable.’

The case is a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for strict protocols to prevent the theft of controlled substances. As the community comes to terms with this shocking crime, it is clear that justice will be served, and King will face the consequences of her actions.

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