Food and Drug Administration  Office of Criminal Investigations

	U.S. Department of Justice Press Release

For Immediate Release April 19, 2017	United States Department of Justice Western District of Virginia

 

Abingdon, VIRGINIA – Today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon, Christina Lovern Calloway, 40, of Radford, Virginia, pled guilty to tampering with a consumer product.

 

Calloway, while working as a nurse in a nursing home, diverted liquid morphine intended for patients to her own use. Calloway, on more than one occasion, took some of the liquid morphine from a bottle and used it herself. She then used tap water to refill the bottle in an attempt to hide her crime. The diluted morphine was then administered to patients.

 

“This defendant undoubtedly inflicted suffering on helpless elderly nursing home residents to feed her addiction,” said Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle. “We will aggressively prosecute defendants who callously abuse their positions of trust to victimize the most vulnerable members of our society.”

 

“FDA oversees the U.S. supply of medicines to ensure that they are safe and effective, and those who knowingly tamper with medicines for patients put their health at risk,” said Mark S. McCormack, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ metro Washington Field Office. “Our office will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who violate laws designed to protect the public health.”

 

United States District Judge James P. Jones scheduled a sentencing hearing for August 1, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. in Abingdon. Calloway faces a sentence of imprisonment of up to 51 months and a fine of up to $250,000. 

 

USAO - Virginia, Western