Medication thief pleads guilty

What began as a traffic stop led to charges for possession and stealing of controlled substance when Allison Derwinis, 27, Bethany, was pulled over for speeding and failure to stop at a stop sign by Daviess County Deputy Dalton Youtsey on Oct. 11, 2020.  A consented search on her vehicle revealed a controlled substance, a white powder, a clear liquid, and drug paraphernalia located in her purse. She was in possession of prescription medication taken from a patient at Daviess County Nursing and Rehab, where Derwinis worked as a licensed practical nurse. She was arrested and transported to Daviess-Dekalb County Regional Jail.

One day later, Daviess County Nursing and Rehab reported missing medications from another patient Derwinis cared for. According to court reports, over 30 of the patient’s hydromorphone pills had been replaced with over-the-counter allergy medication. Further investigation ensued. Spoons holding a controlled substance similar to the items found in Derwinis’ purse were located under the sink in the staff restroom at the nursing center.

Derwinis was also charged with the harassment of a Daviess County local through Facebook Messenger only hours after being released from Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail. On Oct. 13, the victim reported threats from Derwinis warning her to “keep her mouth shut.” She tried to bribe the victim to stay quiet and even threatened to harm the victim with a message that read “I’ll murder you.” She was arrested again.

Derwinis made a guilty plea as of Jan. 13. She plead guilty to the following charges: stealing a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance, forgery, first degree harassment, and abuse of elderly, disabled or vulnerable person.

She is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Mar. 10 at 1:30 p.m.