Zachary L. McCleary, Fentanyl and Morphine Tampering, Missouri 2018

Springfield EMT Pleads Guilty to Stealing Opioids

A shocking case of medical malfeasance has shaken the city of Springfield, Missouri, as a former emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic has pleaded guilty to stealing fentanyl and morphine from patients in need of pain relief.

Zachary L. McCleary, 30, worked for several health care facilities, including Cox Health in Springfield, Mercy Health in Carthage, Missouri, and Barton County Emergency Medical Service, between 2015 and 2018. During this time, McCleary allegedly stole opioid-based drugs, including fentanyl, morphine, hydrocodone, and ketamine, and replaced them with saline solution.

The scheme came to light in February 2018, when agents with the Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) launched an investigation into the repeated theft and dilution of opioid drugs from various health care providers throughout southwest Missouri.

According to a federal information filed against McCleary, 18 separate adverse event reports were filed by individuals who received emergency medical services from Barton County EMS. In each of those reports, individuals advised that various opioid drugs were administered to provide pain relief, but due to McCleary's theft of the drugs, and tampering by replacing the drugs with saline solution, each of these individuals did not receive the pain relief intended and experienced continued pain.

McCleary specifically pleaded guilty to tampering with vials that contained fentanyl and morphine sulfate, by removing those drugs from their vials and replacing them with saline solution, while working for Barton County Emergency Medical Service between January 20 and February 21, 2018. He also pleaded guilty to tampering with vials that contained fentanyl and morphine sulfate, by removing those drugs from their vials and replacing them with saline solution, while working for Cox Health from April 1 to May 19, 2017.

Under federal statutes, McCleary is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. The case was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney.

This shocking case highlights the importance of maintaining the trust between healthcare professionals and patients. The actions of Zachary L. McCleary have put countless lives at risk, and his guilty plea serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of such malfeasance.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/springfield-emtparamedic-pleads-guilty-stealing-fentanyl-morphine