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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVVA) - A Kentucky registered nurse and a Logan County physician were both charged in West Virginia federal court for separate alleged substance abuse schemes.

According to U.S. Attorney Will Thompson, these charges are part of the Justice Department’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action.

Jacqueline Brewster, 54, of Belfry, Kentucky, was indicted with one count of obtaining controlled substances by fraud, one count of tampering with consumer products, and one count of wrongfully obtaining individually identifiable health information under false pretenses and with intent to use for personal gain in connection with the theft of, and tampering with, vials of hydromorphone at a hospital in Raleigh County, West Virginia.

Brewster was a travel nurse who allegedly used her credentials to access hydromorphone for her own personal use. She was also accessed patient files for patients not assigned to her.

Brian McDevitt, D.O., 60, of Chapmanville, was indicted with three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance in connection with prescribing clonazepam outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

193 defendants were charged in this national indictment. These schemes resulted in the submission of over $2.75 billion in alleged false billings.

The Government, in collaboration with the enforcement action, seized over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets.

“The indictments handed up in the Southern District of West Virginia allege that the defendants betrayed their duties as health care providers for personal gain,” Thompson said. “The nationwide enforcement action announced today shows the commitment of the U.S. Department of Justice and this office to safeguard patients and the health care system from abuse and fraud.”