Multi-Agency effort leads to arrests in VA-Related drug thefts

A six-month investigation into narcotics diversion and mail theft culminated in the arrests of two local men on felony drug charges. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General (VA OIG), Texas DPS, Ingram Police Department, Kerrville Police Department, VA Police, Kerr County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Narcotics Investigators, assisted by KCSO Deputies, worked jointly in the multi-day operation.

On May 18, Scott M. Brown, 35, of Kerrville, a Pharmacy Technician at the Kerrville VA Medical Center, was charged in a federal criminal complaint regarding one count of theft of U.S. Mail. The federal complaint states that Brown allegedly stole packaged narcotics, including hydrocodone and oxycodone, from inside the Kerrville VA Medical Center mailroom and residential mailboxes in Kerrville, Ingram and Center Point.

If convicted of the charges, Brown faces up to five years in federal prison. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday, in San Antonio. The DEA, US Postal Inspector Service, VAOIG and the KCSO are investigating this case.

In a second action related to the arrest of Brown, KCSO Narcotics Investigators, with the assistance of the Texas DPS Criminal Investigation Division, US Drug Enforcement Administration, US Postal Inspector Service, Ingram Police Department, and KCSO Deputies, a warrant was served in the 200 block of Washington Street in Ingram regarding the illegal sales of narcotics and possession of stolen prescriptions.

David Jeffrey Hughes, Jr., 42, of Ingram, was arrested for possession of prescription narcotics with intent to distribute. KCSO Narcotics Investigators had information that Hughes was in possession of prescriptions that were allegedly stolen from the Kerrville VA Medical Center, according to a press release.

Hughes was arrested for Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance with intent to deliver; Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance; Possession of Marijuana. Hughes was transported to the Kerr County Jail after his arrest.

Additional charges against Hughes include Possession with Intent to Deliver for amphetamines and tramadol are pending against him and another man at the warrant location. The DEA Tactical Diversion team may seek federal charges in this case, pending a decision by the Assistant US Attorney.

As with all criminal cases, charges may be added or modified prior to trial, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha released a statement saying, “After six months of working with other law enforcement professionals at every level, we are pleased to see these cases move one step closer to prosecution. Prescription drugs can easily be lethal if misused, and we are so proud to be part of the effort that took this major local source out of commission.”

Additionally, Leitha thanked the DEA, Texas DPS CID, US Postal Inspectors Office, VA OIG, Ingram PD, Kerrville PD and all KCSO teams. “Illegal drugs of all kinds, and from all sources, will continue to be in our sights,” Leitha said.