OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma helicopter paramedic and EMS director could face prison time after investigators alleged she stole morphine and fentanyl intended for patients.
Court records identify Jessica Perriman as being charged with two counts of stealing a controlled dangerous substance from Survival Flight and the Burns Flat EMS District, where she served as director, KFOR reported.
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The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics has investigated since February after nurses at Survival Flight’s Altus helicopter base reported that every fentanyl and morphine vial in the narcotics safe appeared tampered with. They said the vials appeared punctured through the caps and had inconsistent fluid levels.
Court records say co-workers suspected Perriman after she appeared groggy at work, and in one instance, a pilot reportedly had to decline a call because he could not wake her.
In another incident, a pilot reported Perriman was slurring her speech, talking incoherently and struggling with basic tasks during a flight.
Investigators said they later searched Perriman’s Burns Flat EMS office and found 26 additional morphine and fentanyl vials in the narcotics safe that appeared tampered with. Records say she told a coworker by phone, “I’m going to jail,” when asked for the safe code. The OSBI lab later found inconsistent vial weights, including one that tested positive for a mix of morphine and Benadryl.
Court records say Perriman previously worked for the Elk City Fire Department and Air Evac Lifeteam in 2017 and 2018, where she allegedly tampered with fentanyl vials and later tested positive for the drug. Both agencies fired her.
Survival Flight confirmed Perriman is no longer employed by the agency and declined further comment.
