Date: 02-20-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Scott Mitchell Brown

Case Number: 5:21-CR-353

Judge: Elizabeth S. Chestney

Court: The United States Court for the Western District of Texas (Bexar County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in San Antonio

Defendant's Attorney:

Click Here For The Best San Antonio, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory

Description:

San Antonio, Texas Criminal Defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Stealing Prescription Medications from Veterans.

A Kerrville man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 42 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, theft of government property and possession of stolen mail.

Scott Mitchell Brown, 38, was a pharmacy technician at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Kerrville. Using his position, Brown devised a scheme to steal narcotics that were being shipped from the pharmacy to VA patients, stealing the narcotics and selling them for profit to individuals in the Kerr County area.

One of the individuals was his codefendant John Swiencki. Swiencki introduced Brown to another codefendant, David Jeffrey Hughes Jr. Brown and Hughes proceeded to break into mailboxes and steal prescribed narcotics from veterans, using patient records obtained by Brown to identify the mailboxes.

In September 2022, Swiencki was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Hughes was sentenced to 35 months in prison in December 2022.

“Brown's misuse of his position with the VA is a repugnant betrayal by a public servant against our nation’s veterans,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “These veterans rely on the care and compassion of the VA to assist them with ailments and disabilities. Instead, the veterans victimized by Brown and his codefendants were met with cruelty and greed. My office and the Department of Justice will continue to seek justice for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

“Medical professionals stealing controlled substances intended for our nation’s veterans cannot be tolerated. This sentence should send a strong message that those who would abuse their positions of trust will be caught and held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the VA Office of Inspector General’s South Central Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks its law enforcement partners and the US Attorney’s Office for their efforts in this joint investigation.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, VA Police, Kerr County Sheriff's Office, Kerrville Police Department, and Kerr County District Attorney's Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fidel Esparza III prosecuted the case.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 42 months in prison

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: