A man who pleaded guilty to stealing opioid tablets from a Birmingham-area nursing home where he worked will not serve time behind bars.
Dozier Micah Blanks, 39, was sentenced to a 15-month suspended sentence for second-degree theft of property.
Blanks was arrested last year after a nurse at the facility noticed hydrocodone pills were missing. Blanks was responsible for distributing the medication to residents, and he was terminated after an in-house investigation.
The Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated and found discrepancies involving over 100 tablets over two months.
"Stealing medication intended for vulnerable patients is a serious betrayal of trust, and my office will not tolerate it," said Attorney General Steve Marshall. "This conviction sends a clear message that those who exploit their positions to divert opioids for personal use will be held accountable. I commend the diligent work of our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in bringing this case to justice and ensuring the integrity of Alabama's healthcare system."
Marshall said the sentence was in line with Alabama's sentencing guidelines.
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