VT Nurse Faces Felony Drug Diversion Charges - Vermont

BARRE, VERMONT — A licensed practical nurse has been charged with felony drug diversion after allegedly obtaining controlled substances meant for hospital patients for her personal use, according to the Vermont Attorney General's Office.

Brittney Roberts, 36, who also goes by Brittney Metivier, was arraigned Thursday on one count of fraud or deceit involving a regulated drug, as reported by WAMC Northeast Public Radio. She entered a not guilty plea to the charge.

According to prosecutors, Roberts diverted controlled substances including fentanyl from patients while working in the endoscopy unit at the University of Vermont's Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. The alleged diversion occurred over a nine-month period spanning January through October 2025, according to the Vermont Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit.

The investigation into Roberts' conduct was initiated by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, which found evidence that she had diverted controlled substances while on duty at the medical facility, according to court documents. The case was subsequently referred to the Attorney General's office for criminal prosecution.

Drug diversion by healthcare workers represents a serious threat to patient safety and care quality. When nurses or other medical professionals take medications intended for patients, those patients may not receive adequate pain management or sedation during medical procedures. Federal and state regulations require healthcare facilities to maintain strict controls over controlled substances and report any suspected diversion to regulatory authorities.

If convicted on the felony charge, Roberts faces up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, or both penalties, according to Vermont law. The conviction could also result in the permanent loss of her nursing license and her ability to work in healthcare settings.

The Vermont Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit handles cases involving abuse, neglect, and exploitation in healthcare settings, as well as fraud involving medical services and controlled substances. The unit works in partnership with state professional licensing boards and healthcare facility investigators to identify and prosecute misconduct by healthcare workers.

Central Vermont Medical Center is part of the University of Vermont Health Network, which operates multiple hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout Vermont. The medical center provides a range of services including surgical procedures performed in its endoscopy unit, where Roberts was employed at the time of the alleged offenses.

Resources for Families

Healthcare workers who divert medications intended for patients violate both criminal law and professional ethics standards. Families who suspect medication diversion or inadequate pain management should report concerns to facility administrators and state regulators.

To report concerns about healthcare facility practices in Vermont, contact:

- Vermont Office of the Health Care Ombudsman: 1-800-917-7787 - National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: 1-800-677-1116 - Vermont Board of Nursing: 802-828-2396

Patients and families can also file complaints directly with the Vermont Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit if they suspect criminal conduct involving controlled substances or patient care.