Pharmaceutical Drug Diversion Investigations Leads to Two Arrests

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Statewide Pharmaceutical Diversion Unit arrested a pharmacist and a nurse practitioner in separate drug cases Tuesday.

Jerry Vaughn

Pharmacist Jerry Vaughn, 33, of Hernando, self-surrendered to MBN agents at the Desoto County Sheriff’s Department after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Vaughn was charged with Embezzlement of Controlled Substance — approximately 250 dosage units of Suboxone, which is used to treat narcotic drug addiction — and bond was set at $7,500. The MS Board of Pharmacy assisted with this investigation.

In an unrelated investigation, MBN agents with the assistance of East Mississippi Drug Task Force agents and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department arrested a licensed nurse practitioner, Shannon Mott, 44, of Collinsville at her residence during the execution of a search warrant.

Shannon Mott

During the search, agents located quantities of Zoldpidem (Ambien), Pseudoephedrine and evidence supporting the unlawful acquisition of Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen in the residence.

Mott was transported to the Lauderdale County Detention Facility and charged with one count of attempting to obtain Oxycodone by fraudulent means and one count of obtaining Hydrocodone by fraudulent means. Bond was set at $5,000 for each charge.

“These arrests are indicative of the non-stop efforts of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and its partners to continue thwarting the diversion of pharmaceutical drugs by professionals,” said John Dowdy, Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. “The MBN and its partners are committed to fighting the opioid crisis on every front and for as long as it persists in plaguing Mississippians.”

Both cases are currently ongoing investigations by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

Courtesy of Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics