Fentanyl Thief Behind Bars: 32-Year-Old Nurse Sentenced to 9 Months in Prison
Morgan Miralles, a 32-year-old nurse from Sioux City, Iowa, has been sentenced to 9 months in federal prison for stealing fentanyl, morphine, hydromorphone, and hydrocodone. This brazen crime not only puts patients’ lives at risk but also undermines the public’s trust in the healthcare system.
According to court documents, Miralles pleaded guilty to one count of acquiring a controlled substance by means of misrepresentation, fraud, deception and subterfuge, and one count of false statements relating to health care matters. The evidence revealed that Miralles had been diverting controlled substances for her own personal use as early as April 2020 and continuing through August 2022.
The nurse’s malfeasance was further highlighted by her frequent falsification of documents, omitting crucial information from log entries designed to track the disbursement of controlled substances. In a particularly petty and vindictive act, Miralles stole vials of Benedryl after not receiving a promotion.
The case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons is prosecuting the case.
Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand of the United States District Court in Sioux City handed down the sentence, which includes a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Miralles was released on bond and will surrender to the Bureau of Prisons at a date to be determined.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability in the healthcare industry. As a society, we must prioritize the safety and well-being of patients, and hold healthcare professionals to the highest standards of integrity and ethics.
We will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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