Former Nurse Anesthetist Pleads Guilty to Infecting Patients with Hepatitis C

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that 46-year-old John Dale Jones pleaded guilty today to one count of assault on a patient and one count of drug diversion. He was indicted on March 27, 2008, on charges that while employed as a certified registered nurse anesthetist at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, he infected patients under his care with Hepatitis C.

Jones was employed at William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) at Fort Bliss from July 2004 through April 2005.

While Jones was working at WBAMC a Hepatitis C outbreak occurred. Subsequent investigation determined a total of 16 patients to be infected with Hepatitis C. Investigation also determined the source of the infection to be the defendant. By pleading guilty today, Jones admitted to an addiction to fentanyl, a highly addictive narcotic used in hospitals. In doing so, he infected the patients with a rare strain of Hepatitis C which was traced back to him.

Sentencing has been set for August 19, 2009. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. It is being prosecuted for the government by Assistant United States Attorney Bill Lewis and Patricia Acosta.

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