A former Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) from Cordova, Tennessee, has been sentenced to over a year in federal prison for tampering with a vial of Benadryl while on duty. Cleola Hogan, 40, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison after admitting to replacing the medication with saline solution, endangering patients who required the drug for severe allergic reactions.
On March 20, 2022, Hogan removed Benadryl from a vial using a syringe, injected it into her own arm, and then replaced the missing medication with saline solution, resealing the vial with glue. Benadryl is a critical medication used in emergency situations to treat allergic reactions, and Hogan’s actions could have led to life-threatening consequences for those relying on it.
Hogan pleaded guilty to tampering with a consumer product, acknowledging that her reckless actions put others at serious risk of injury or death. In addition to her prison sentence, Hogan will serve three years of supervised release and undergo drug and mental health counseling.
The investigation into Hogan’s conduct was led by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations in collaboration with the Priority Ambulance Diversion Task Force. This case highlights the critical responsibility of healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety at all times.