VA Pharmacy Tech Gets Prison Time for Stealing Veterans’ Meds

A pharmacy technician working at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Kerrville, Texas, has been sentenced to prison for his role in a scheme to steal narcotic medications from US veterans and sell them illegally for profit.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas announced the sentencing of Scott Mitchell Brown, 38, a former VA pharmacy tech, in late February. The government alleged that Brown and 2 codefendants broke into mailboxes and stole prescribed narcotic medications from veterans, using patient information from records obtained by Brown. Veterans began noticing that their painkillers were missing from their mailboxes, but in many cases, their non-narcotic medications were untouched. Investigators began looking at the source of the medications–the Kerrville VA Medical Center–and noticed something while reviewing security camera footage. In the surveillance video, Brown could be seen cutting large holes in bags containing individually packaged prescription mailings. A suspect vehicle in the mailbox break ins was identified as his. Eventually, Brown and his two codefendants were arrested and prosecuted.

“Brown's misuse of his position with the VA is a repugnant betrayal by a public servant against our nation’s veterans,” said US Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas in a statement. Brown sentenced to 42 months in prison. In 2022, one of his codefendants was sentenced to 12 months and the other to 35 months in prison. Brown’s longer sentence is due abusing his position of trust at the VA. “Medical professionals stealing controlled substances intended for our nation’s veterans cannot be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the VA Office of the Inspector General in a statement. “This sentence should send a strong message that those who would abuse their positions of trust will be caught and held accountable.”

References

Former VA pharmacy tech sentenced to prison for stealing prescription medications from veterans. News release. US Attorney’s Office, Western District of Texas. Published February 20, 2024. Accessed March 14, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/former-va-pharmacy-tech-sentenced-prison-stealing-prescription-medications-veterans

Three area Kerrville men indicted for distribution of hydrocodone and oxycodone. News release. US Attorney’s Office, Western District of Texas. Published August 20, 2021. Accessed March 14, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/three-area-kerrville-men-indicted-distribution-hydrocodone-and-oxycodone