Man Used Fake Names To Get Painkillers At Hospital: Cops

CANTON, GA — A Carrollton man is accused of using several false identities to obtain powerful prescription painkillers more than two dozen times at Northside Hospital Cherokee. Dustin James Funk was arrested on May 18 at the hospital in Canton after agents with the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad learned he allegedly used a false name to receive treatment and prescription pain medication from the hospital's Emergency Room.

Throughout the investigation, CMANS learned Funk visited the hospital 29 times since July 2017. During each visit, Funk used a different name to obtain drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and tramadol, the agency said on its Facebook page.

The prescriptions were filled at eight different pharmacies throughout Cherokee County. Northside Hospital-Cherokee, which opened its new hospital off Ga. 20 east of Interstate 575 in May 2017, is cooperating with the investigation, CMANS said.

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Funk, 33, is charged with a total of 79 felony offenses, including possession of hydrocodone, possession of tramadol and possession of oxycodone, forgery in the first degree and obtaining controlled substances by fraud.

Cherokee narcotics agents also learned Funk committed additional crimes throughout metro Atlanta, and CMANS is partnering with other investigators around the state to determine the extent of his alleged actions. Funk was booked into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center on May 18. Since he was wanted on probation violation charges in Bartow County, he was transferred to the Bartow County Jail and booked into that facility on May 20.

"CMANS Agents work closely with medical professionals to identify individuals who are abusing the system to seek drugs needed by people with serious medical needs," the agency added. "Agents from the CMANS Heroin/Opioid Team were instrumental in this complex and difficult investigation."

The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is a joint task force working in Cherokee County to investigate drug related violations. Participating agencies include the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, Canton Police Department, Woodstock Police Department, Holly Springs Police Department, Ball Ground Police Department, Cherokee County Marshal’s Office, District Attorney’s Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, and Georgia State Patrol. Citizens may call in tips anonymously to (770) 345-7920, or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.

Photo: Dustin James Funk. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff's Office