Crystal McLin Lipe, a 41-year-old nurse, has recently pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas for illegally obtaining a controlled substance, as announced by U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs on July 27, 2023.
The guilty plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Aileen Goldman Durrett and pertains to Lipe's actions while working as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital within the Eastern District of Texas. According to court documents presented during the proceedings, Lipe was found to have knowingly accessed and obtained fentanyl, a controlled substance under federal law, for personal use without the hospital's authorization.
The investigation revealed that Lipe obtained the fentanyl through fraudulent means. She allegedly removed the powerful drug from its original vials and replaced it with a liquid containing sodium chloride, effectively concealing her actions from the hospital's authorities. Her misconduct went undisclosed until it was brought to the attention of the authorities, leading to her arrest and subsequent plea.
As a result of her guilty plea, Crystal McLin Lipe now faces the possibility of up to 4 years in federal prison upon sentencing. However, it is essential to note that the court will determine the final sentence based on advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors, as provided by Congress.
In the wake of this case, a thorough presentence investigation will be conducted by the U.S. Probation Office before the scheduling of the sentencing hearings.
The investigation into this matter was jointly carried out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
