St. Louis, MO – A pharmacist’s desperate attempt to shield her family from COVID-19 landed her in federal court, resulting in a three-year probation sentence and a $5,000 fine. Tamara Jo Nyachira, of Pittsburg, Kansas, pleaded guilty to obtaining opioid and anti-malaria prescription drugs using forged prescriptions, a scheme that authorities say diverted critical medications from those who legitimately needed them.
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According to court documents, Nyachira, employed by a major pharmacy chain and working at various locations throughout Missouri – including Farmington – used a fraudulent prescription to acquire Codeine/butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine, commonly known as Fioricet® with Codeine, a Schedule III controlled substance. The scheme wasn’t limited to opioids; in March 2020, Nyachira utilized multiple forged prescriptions to obtain amoxicillin clavulanate potassium (Augmentin®) and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (Plaquenil®).
Nyachira admitted her motive was to stockpile these drugs for personal use, anticipating potential exposure or infection within her family during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This selfish hoarding, however, had real-world consequences. Prosecutors argued her actions contributed to shortages of vital medications, impacting elderly and low-income patients suffering from chronic conditions like lupus and arthritis who rely on these drugs for ongoing treatment.
“Nyachira allegedly forged prescriptions and fraudulently obtained opioids and other drugs, thereby limiting availability of medications to patients legitimately reliant on these drugs,” stated Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The statement underscores the seriousness of the offense, extending beyond a simple act of fraud to a disruption of healthcare access.
The investigation was a sprawling effort, involving the Pittsburg, Kansas Police Department, Branson, Missouri Police Department, Farmington Police Department, and several federal agencies. The Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri Pharmacy Board, the Eastern District of Missouri OPIOID Task Force, and the Eastern District of Missouri COVID-19 Task Force all contributed to the case. The COVID-19 Task Force, a multi-agency group led by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Secret Service, was specifically focused on combating pandemic-related fraud.
In addition to the probation and fine, Chief United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel ordered Nyachira to complete 100 hours of community service. While a relatively lenient sentence, it sends a message that even in times of crisis, exploiting the healthcare system for personal gain will not be tolerated. The case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to during moments of widespread fear, and the ripple effects those actions can have on vulnerable populations.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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