MUNCIE, Ind. -- A Muncie anesthesiologist was arrested Wednesday and charged with stealing drugs from a hospital, and using them during procedures.
Prosecutors say Dr. Jose Ramos stole opiates from IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in October, and was using them during seven medical procedures.
After taking part in the procedures, other staff members noticed something was off. Ramos was going to the bathroom in between every one of his cases, and he wasn't making eye contact by the end of the day. He underwent a drug screen, which turned up the drugs.
When Dr. Gerard Costello, Medical Director of the Anesthesiology Division at the hospital, confronted Ramos, he admitted that he had an addiction to pharmaceutical controlled substances, according to official documents.
After he was confronted by Costello and another superior, Ramos took a leave of absence from the hospital and entered into a physician addiction treatment program in Florida.
According to court documents, Ramos stole the following drugs:
- Demerol (Meperidine)
- Hydromorphone
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Ketamine
- Midazolam
"While we are not able to provide information on the situation, we are cooperating fully with the authorities,” said Neil Gifford, a spokesperson for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
He was arrested after an 8-month investigation by the DEA and the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office.
He is being charged with the following:
- Four counts of possession of narcotics
- Four counts of theft
- Two counts of criminal recklessness
Ramos was arrested in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but is being transported back to Delaware County.
