NH medic accused of drug theft had license suspended

He is accused of stealing more than $1,500 of fentanyl and morphine marked as resupplies for Peterborough ambulances between August 2012 and August 2013

August 14, 2013 05:27 AM

The Keene Sentinel

PETERBOROUGH, N.H. — A Peterborough paramedic charged this month with stealing painkillers from town ambulances first had his license suspended by the state earlier this year.

Jeremy Bouchard, 34, of Antrim had his license suspended in March by the state’s Division of Fire Standards and Training and Emergency Medical Services, according to bureau Chief Jeffrey Phillips.

Bouchard’s license was suspended for “knowingly making misleading, deceptive, untrue or fraudulent representations in the practice of his or her profession, or engaging in unethical conduct or practice harmful or detrimental to the public.”

Phillips did not know the specific action that caused the suspension.

During the 90-day suspension, Bouchard was not allowed to operate under his paramedic’s license. He did continue to serve as the town’s clinical director for ambulance services. In June, Bouchard was placed on a 275-day probation by the state for the earlier infraction.

But on Aug. 3 he was charged with possession of narcotic drugs and theft of narcotic drugs, both felonies. Bouchard is accused of stealing more than $1,500 of fentanyl and morphine marked as resupplies for Peterborough ambulances between August 2012 and August 2013, according to court documents. The drugs belonged to Monadnock Community Hospital.

He was released on $50,000 personal recognizance and waived an arraignment scheduled for Monday in 8th Circuit Court District Division in Jaffrey. A probable cause hearing had not be scheduled as of Monday. After the division learned of his arrest, Bouchard’s license was suspended again, Phillips said.

Bouchard’s salary is $54,080, and he is on paid administrative leave while the town conducts an internal investigation, Town Administrator Pamela L. Brenner said. The town will make a statement at the conclusion of the investigation, Brenner said.

Bouchard started working for the Peterborough Fire and Rescue Department on a per-diem basis in 2009 and was hired full time in 2011. He’s a former Hooksett firefighter and medic who previously worked as a flight medic with the Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., and as an on-call firefighter in Antrim.

The case is still under investigation by the Peterborough Police Department, N.H. Attorney General’s Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

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