News

Indiana Medic Gets Probation for Painkiller Theft

03/17/2014

March 17--SOUTH BEND -- A suspended South Bend Fire Department paramedic who admitted last year to stealing vials of pain medicine from a city ambulance will serve at least a year of probation under a sentence handed down Monday.

Timothy Greenlee, 39, pleaded guilty in October to charges of theft and official misconduct after he allegedly took five vials of fentanyl, a powerful narcotic pain reliever, from an ambulance medication safe and replaced the medicine with saltwater in April 2013.

St. Joseph Superior Court Judge John Marnocha sentenced Greenlee to a one-year prison term for each of the two charges but suspended the sentence, ordering Greenlee to a year of monitored probation.

Marnocha warned Greenlee that he could face prison if he fails to comply with the conditions of his probation, which requires steady employment, counseling and random drug and alcohol screening.

"This is your chance," Marnocha told Greenlee, "and if you screw up, don't come back saying you need another chance."

In a statement to the court, Greenlee apologized to his former colleagues, his family and the public, saying he betrayed their trust.

"I'm here today to fully accept responsibility for my actions," he said. "In my actions, I betrayed those who depend on me in their most vulnerable moments."

Greenlee's attorney, Tom Dixon, emphasized that his client, a married college graduate with one child, had no criminal record before he took the medicine. Greenlee said he first became addicted to painkillers while dealing with a severe bout of kidney stones.

Meanwhile, Greenlee's future with the fire department remains unclear. He is suspended without pay, but the South Bend Board of Public Safety was required to delay further action until his case was resolved.

The board will likely take up the issue at its April meeting, where Greenlee could face further disciplinary charges or dismissal, said Cory Hamel, a staff attorney with the city.