News : Belle Plaine Pharmacists convicted of Stealing Opiods for his own use

A Belle Plaine pharmacist was convicted of diverting oxycodone for his personal use and replacing the opioids with an over-the- counter pain reliever.Thomas Kelly, 55, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with four counts;In counts 1 and 2 he was charged with Prohibited Act - SCH I, II, or III Controlled Substance, a Class B Felony. Counts 3 and 4 were charges of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug a Serious Misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty in May to Counts 1 and 2 in Benton County District Court. He faces up to 20 years in prison. Kelly's pharmacy license has been indefinitely suspended by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy until he is "deemed safe to resume practicing pharmacy," according to documents from their internal investigation. The board had been notified in November of 2024 that Hartig Drug Co. had fired Kelly for diverting oxycodone. The criminal complaint states that Kelly, was illegally obtaining the opioids from prescription bottles received from the manufacturer. Over the course of four months, Kelly replace the tablets with Aleve. When confronted, he admitted that he was taking the pills for his own use.380 pills were reported taken; 300 - 5mg oxycodone pills, 30 - 7.5mg oxycodone pills, 10 - 10mg oxycodone pills, and 40 - 10mg hydrocodone pills.Police found a prescription-labeled bottle with Kelly's name, that contained some of the missing opioid pills.When an attempt was made to interview Kelly, he "immediately advised he knew why they were there, that he fully intends to cooperate, but that he needed to speak with his lawyer first." His lawyer told advised that he would not be making a statement.The police reported that Kelly "knowingly and intentionally" obtained the pills using his position to "deceive" and obtain the controlled medications illegally.The misdemeanor charges are set to be dismissed at sentencing in July as part of the plea agreement.