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A former nurse at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System faces drug charges in the theft of opioid painkillers, federal prosecutors said.
Ann Makepeace, 30, of Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze neighborhood was indicted by a grand jury in Pittsburgh for violating federal narcotics laws, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said. According to the indictment returned Aug. 19 and made public Friday, Makepeace is accused of using her position as a registered nurse to illegally obtain vials of Dilaudid, or hydromorphone. Court records did not indicate the specific VA Pittsburgh hospital or facility where Makepeace worked.
Hydromorphone is a morphine-derivative, semisynthetic painkiller with a high risk for addiction and dependence, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Makepeace is accused of obtaining the Schedule II controlled substance without permission between Feb. 24 and March 20 of this year, the indictment says.
If convicted, she faces a maximum possible sentence of four years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
The VA’s Office of Inspector General and VA Police conducted the investigation that led to the indictment.
A VA Pittsburgh Healthcare spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting the case. Makepeace is the sole defendant.