A former hospital registered pharmacist was arrested this week for drug tampering and for the theft and possession of controlled dangerous substances taken from Shore Memorial Hospital, where he had been employed in 2014, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.
Concluding a year-long investigation, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office detectives arrested Frederick P. McLeish, 53, of Windsor Drive, Egg Harbor Township this morning (Jan. 21) at 9:30 a.m.
McLeish was taken into custody at his home without incident on a warrant for his arrest issued by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Pamela M. Wild, after McLeish’s indictment yesterday by an Atlantic County Grand Jury for:
* Drug Tampering—a crime of the 2nd degree,
* Theft By Unlawful Taking—a 3rd degree crime, and
* Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance—a 3rd degree crime.
The indictment stated that McLeish, “a healthcare professional who was authorized to prescribe, dispense or administer medication, did knowingly tamper with medicine that was for the subsequent use by patients at Shore Memorial Hospital,” and that McLeish unlawfully took possession of morphine that was the property of the hospital for the treatment of patients.
The State alleges that, between July and September of 2014, McLeish removed morphine from vials intended to be used in the preparation of intravenous solutions for patients, and replaced the missing volume with saline solution.
An internal inquiry initiated by Shore Memorial Hospital led to an investigation by the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety’s Division of Consumer Affairs, and the criminal investigation conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Shore Memorial Hospital suspended McLeish from work in September 2014, and ultimately terminated his employment.
In December 2014 McLeish surrendered his State pharmacy license to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs’ State Board of Pharmacy.
McLeish was processed for the arrest, and lodged by Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office detectives in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $20,000, 10%, bail set by Judge Wild.
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Michael Peterson led the criminal investigation; Assistant Prosecutor Aaron Witherspoon represented the State in Grand Jury.
A crime of the 2nd degree crime carries a potential penalty of 5-10 years in New Jersey State prison; a 3rd degree crime carries a potential penalty of 3-5 years of imprisonment.