Probation, deferred judgment for Forest City nurse who stole painkillers from Hancock County hospital

GARNER — A former nurse working at a Hancock County hospital accused of stealing painkillers meant for patients has been sentenced to probation.

33-year-old Thomas Anderson of Forest City was accused of withdrawing doses of painkillers out of the Hancock County Health System’s medication system in September of last year. A criminal complaint stated that the drugs were intended for patients but that he kept the drugs for himself and then falsified records to cover things up.

Anderson was originally charged with three Class C felony-level counts of illegally obtaining a prescription drug and one aggravated misdemeanor count of tampering with records. As part of a plea agreement, Anderson pleaded guilty to one of the prescription drug violation counts with the other charges dismissed.

As part of the agreement, Anderson received a deferred judgment and was placed on five years probation.