Lauren Hornbuckle, Tampering with Controlled Substances, Florida 2025

Tampa Nurse Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Tampering with Controlled Substances

A former nurse at a Tampa Bay area hospital has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for tampering with and stealing controlled substances.

Lauren Hornbuckle, a 37-year-old Seminole resident, pleaded guilty to tampering with a consumer product on August 6, 2025. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the sentencing.

According to court documents, Hornbuckle was a Florida-licensed registered nurse who worked at Hospital #1 between November 2023 and March 2024. During this time, she tampered with injectable controlled substances, including morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl, by removing them from their containers and replacing them with saline.

Hornbuckle then returned the containers into circulation for other patients' medical needs and used the drugs for her own personal use. By tampering with the injectable controlled substances, Hornbuckle acted with reckless disregard for the risk that patients would be in danger of bodily injury and under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to such risk.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo.

Hornbuckle's sentencing is a reminder of the importance of maintaining the trust and integrity of our healthcare system. Her actions put patients' lives at risk, and she must now face the consequences of her crimes.

This case serves as a warning to healthcare professionals who would engage in similar behavior. The U.S. government will continue to hold accountable those who put patients' lives in danger for their own personal gain.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/nurse-sentenced-two-years-prison-tampering-and-stealing-controlled-substances-tampa