Charlotte Demers, Oxycodone Tampering, MA 2023

BOSTON – In a shocking turn of events, Charlotte Demers, 36, from Providence, R.I., pleaded guilty in federal court in Worcester to stealing oxycodone pills from Countryside Health Care in Milford, Mass. The nurse’s unethical act involved tampering with medication meant for nursing home residents.

Demers admitted to taking four blisterpacks of the pain relief drug and replacing them with other medications, attempting to cover up her theft. Now facing serious charges, she could be sentenced to no more than 10 years in prison, along with a fine of $250,000.

The incident took place between Sept. 12, 2016, and Oct. 8, 2016. Demers, who is currently enrolled in the Court-run RISE program for rehabilitation, is under pretrial supervision ahead of sentencing.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations; and Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH, of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, announced the charges against Demers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett is handling the prosecution.

The RISE program aims to aid defendants like Demers in their rehabilitation process before sentencing. Completion of this program will influence her final sentence.

Demers’ case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers within healthcare facilities and the severe consequences that can arise from such unethical behavior.

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