September 25, 2009

Click here for Kristen Parker's plea agreement

FORMER ROSE MEDICAL CENTER TECHNICIAN KRISTEN PARKER PLEADS GUILTY TO PRODUCT TAMPERING AND OBTAINING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE BY DECEIT

DENVER – Former Rose Medical Center surgery technician Kristen Parker pled guilty this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn.  She is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Blackburn on December 11, 2009 at 3:30pm.

Parker pled guilty to five counts of product tampering and five counts of obtaining a controlled substance by deceit.  According to the plea agreement, she faces a stipulated 240 months (20 years) in federal prison for her criminal conduct.

Statement by United States Attorney David Gaouette:  “Today’s plea agreement should reassure victims that the criminal justice system represents their interests.”

Statement by FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Special Agent in Charge Steve Holt, from the Kansas City Field Office:  “The FDA Office of Criminal Investigations considers this illegal conduct very serious and is fully committed to investigating and supporting the prosecution of those who may endanger the public health with tainted products.  We continue to look forward to working with our law enforcement partners and commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Denver District Attorney’s Office, the Denver Police Department and the DEA for their diligence.”

Statement by Special Agent in Charge of the Denver Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration Jeffrey D. Sweetin:  "The guilty plea today by Kristen Parker brings an end to a story that captured the attention of many in the state of Colorado.  I hope, however, that this investigation will start a new awareness and discussion in our state of how the abuse of drugs by a few can affect all of us." 

This case was investigated by FDA Office of Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Pena.

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