Former Iowa Nurse Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison for Narcotics Theft and Bank Fraud

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Sarah Ann Haptonstall, a 47-year-old nurse from Onawa, Iowa, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for stealing pain medication from nursing home residents, burglarizing multiple residences, possessing a firearm as a felon, and committing bank fraud. Haptonstall had pled guilty to multiple counts, including acquiring and attempting to acquire a controlled substance by misrepresentation, possession of a firearm by a felon, and bank fraud.

Key Takeaways:

  • Haptonstall stole pain medication from nursing home residents, including one who was over 90 years old and suffering from severe pain.
  • She burglarized multiple residences in Onawa, stealing narcotics from apartment residents, and possessed a 9mm Luger pistol as a felon.
  • Haptonstall committed a bank fraud against a small family-owned business, embezzling over $8,000 and creating fraudulent checks.
  • Her extensive criminal history includes six theft convictions in the late 1990s and 2000s, as well as a felony controlled substance violation and a fully suspended prison sentence in 2023.
  • Haptonstall was found guilty of swapping patients' hydrocodone for Tylenol pills while working as a delivery driver for a local pharmacy.
  • She was sentenced to 42 months' imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and ordered to repay $5,000 in court-appointed attorney fees and $8,000 in restitution to her former employer.

Statistics:

  • Haptonstall stole narcotics from four elderly residents of two nursing homes, including one who was over 90 years old.
  • She burglarized multiple residences in Onawa, stealing over $8,000 worth of narcotics.
  • Haptonstall committed bank fraud against a small family-owned business, embezzling over $8,000.
  • Her extensive criminal history includes six theft convictions, a felony controlled substance violation, and a fully suspended prison sentence.
  • Haptonstall received a 42-month prison sentence and three years of supervised release.
  • The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Monona County Sheriff's Office.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (no specific article or date mentioned)