Ex-Louisville nurse stole fentanyl, other drugs from hospitals, indictment claims
A former Louisville nurse was indicted in federal court on charges related to medical fraud after she was discovered allegedly stealing fentanyl and other drugs, according to an indictment.
Meredith Rachael Douglass was indicted Wednesday on 10 total charges, including theft of medical products, seven counts of acquiring or attempting to acquire a controlled substance through fraud or subterfuge and false statements to health care matters.
Allegations against the former Louisville nurse
Between 2024 and 2025, Douglass worked at two Louisville hospitals, which were unnamed in the indictment. Prosecutors allege she used her nursing licenses to take controlled substances from patients at those hospitals.
Douglass worked at “hospital 2” in 2024, which was authorized as a fentanyl supply chain. According to her indictment, she allegedly took, carried away and concealed the fentanyl from the hospital.
In May 2025, Douglass allegedly stole fentanyl that she reported was for a patient — identified as “MS” in the indictment — even though she did not administer the medication.
In another report from the same day, Douglass allegedly documented vital signs and fentanyl administration for the same patient after the patient had been discharged from the hospital.
The indictment claims that in seven separate instances Douglass allegedly took other drugs — Dilaudid, Sublimaze and Percocet — from patients.
Douglass could face a total of 34 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
