Kentucky nurse sentenced for tampering with medication

KENTUCKY — A Lexington woman has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for tampering with a consumer product, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Abigail Hall, 51, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove after admitting to stealing and tampering with morphine while working as a contract registered nurse.

Between January and August 2023, Hall worked at several Kentucky healthcare facilities, including one in Lawrenceburg that specialized in elderly and infirm patient care.

According to her plea agreement, on August 27, 2023, Hall took morphine prescribed for three patients with serious medical conditions and pain concerns.

She replaced the stolen doses with a mixture of water and blue food coloring to mimic the real medication.

Prosecutors say Hall stole at least seven syringes of morphine and administered the tampered drug to at least one patient.

Under federal law, Hall must serve at least 85% of her sentence before release. She will also be under federal supervision for three years after her prison term.

The case was investigated by the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Smith prosecuted the case.