Woodstock Nurse Took Meds From Assisted Living Patients: Cops

WOODSTOCK, GA — A Cherokee County nurse has been charged with possessing live-saving medications that should have been given to patients he was tasked with caring for at a Woodstock assisted living facility.

According to the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, the investigation began when a "sharp-eyed" Woodstock police officer conducted a traffic stop on Wednesday, April 25 on a vehicle driven by Alan Matthew Kenney because of its expired registration.

"The officer quickly realized that there were several suspicious containers with prescription medications in them," CMANS said.

Woodstock police reached out to the newly minted CMANS Heroin Opioid Team, and agents assigned to the task force unearthed information at the site of the arrest that led them back to Kenney's place of employment, Benton House of Woodstock.

Kenney, a licensed practical nurse, allegedly had in his possession medications that should have been given to patients at the facility. Some of these items were drugs used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart conditions, dementia and Parkinson's disease, CMANS added.

CMANS agents also discovered fentanyl patches and other opioids concealed inside the car. Kenney was charged with several counts of possession of Schedule II and Schedule IV drugs. Based upon information obtained byagents, he will also face additional charges related to denying life-sustaining drugs to persons over 65 years old.

CMANS said on its Facebook page that the case remains active, and agents will partner with the appropriate state licensing boards and other departments to ensure "that all parties are held accountable."

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 can speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.

Images via Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad