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A nurse at a Gainesville health center has been charged with stealing prescription painkillers prescribed to patients.
A grand jury at U.S. District Court in Alexandria May 9 indicted Anne Hansen-Shipe, 42, on one count of obtaining a prescription medicine by fraud.
According to an affidavit on file in federal court, Hansen-Shipe worked as a registered nurse at Gainesville Health and Rehabilitation Center, 7501 Heritage Village Plaza.
In August, police began investigating reports Hansen-Shipe was stealing prescription narcotics from patients.
According to the health center’s records, between May and August, Hansen-Shipe placed “multiple special orders” for prescription drugs including Oxycodone and Percocet for patients in her care, but the patients never received the drugs.
Patient records, maintained by Hansen-Shipe show the patients received the medications, but the patients told other staff members they did not receive the pills, according to the affidavit.
According to the court documents, Hansen-Shipe was investigated for similar allegations at another medical facility in Culpeper, where she worked prior to working in Gainesville.
The affidavit states Hansen-Shipe quit her job at the Gainesville medical center shortly after the police investigation began.
Police estimate at least 435 Percocet tablets and 315 Oxycodone tablets went missing from the Gainesville Health and Rehabilitation Center between May and August.
Hansen-Shipe’s trial date has not yet been set.