Trending Topics

Former EMS capt. pleads guilty to morphine theft

The 40-year-old was arrested after admitting to co-workers he had stolen drugs for personal use over a period of time

By Julie Swidwa
The Herald-Palladium

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — A former Medic 1 ambulance worker told a Berrien County judge Monday that while working for the ambulance service he stole morphine from an ambulance for his own use.

Jason Russell, 40, pleaded guilty to obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, a four-year felony. In exchange, Berrien Assistant Prosecutor Patricia Ceresa agreed to dismiss charges of possession of narcotics, also a four-year felony; and adulterating or misbranding a drug or medicine, a two-year felony that involves changing the contents of a medicine container.

Berrien County Trial Court Judge Charles LaSata accepted Russell’s plea and set sentencing for Nov. 23.

Read full story: Former Medic 1 worker pleads guilty to morphine theft