Nurse Pleads Guilty To Fraudulently Acquiring A Controlled Substance

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 38-year-old Madelia nurse pleaded guilty to fraudulently acquiring a controlled substance, namely oxycodone, while employed at an inpatient health care facility. Tess Marie Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Johnson, who was indicted on May 21, 2013, entered her plea before United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

In her plea agreement, Johnson admitted that in October 2012, she obtained for her own use Percocet tablets that had been intended for patients. Specifically, she removed the Percocet, which is oxycodone, that was intended for patients and replaced it with Tylenol tablets.

For her crime, Johnson faces a potential maximum penalty of four years in prison. Judge Schiltz will determine her sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled. This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mankato Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole A. Engisch.