A Cordova, Tennessee resident and former Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Cleola Hogan, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for tampering with a vial of Benadryl while on duty. The announcement was made by Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
Court documents revealed that on March 20, 2022, Hogan, aged 40, removed Benadryl from a vial using a syringe and injected it into her arm. She then refilled the vial with saline solution and glued the cap back on. This act posed a significant risk to patients who might require Benadryl for severe allergic reactions, as replacing it with saline could lead to serious injury or death.
Latest TN News
Hogan entered a guilty plea on September 3, 2024, for tampering with a consumer product with reckless disregard for endangering another person’s life. On December 4, 2024, Chief United States District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Hogan to 12 months and one day of incarceration, followed by a three-year supervised release. She is also required to undergo drug and mental health treatment and counseling, as there is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, in collaboration with the Priority Ambulance Diversion Task Force. Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren commended Assistant United States Attorney Carroll L. André III and former Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Lewis for prosecuting the case, along with law enforcement partners for their investigative efforts.
For additional information, the Media Relations Team can be contacted at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Updates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office can be followed on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews.
Source: Read Original Release
Major Drug Trafficking Network Dismantled in Nashville
Authorities have dismantled a significant drug trafficking network responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl from California to Nashville. This operation, marked as Nashville’s largest methamphetamine investigation, has seen the seizure of over 800 pounds of meth and 24 pounds of fentanyl since November 2022. The investigation involved collaboration between local and federal law enforcement agencies, leading to the arrest and indictment of thirteen individuals, including the alleged California supplier. The operation continues as law enforcement seeks additional suspects and anticipates further charges.