Following a meticulous investigation, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, alongside detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division, arrested 39-year-old Thomas Patrick Raley from Leonardtown, Maryland. The arrest occurred on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, under suspicion of tampering with Emergency Medical Services narcotic boxes and possessing fentanyl illicitly.
The investigation was triggered in July when the Sheriff’s Office received reports of security breaches involving the seal of a narcotics box within a local medic unit. Further scrutiny by detectives revealed compromised fentanyl vials in the medic box. The probe then expanded, uncovering additional tampering incidents across multiple county medic units and EMS facilities.
As detectives delved deeper, Raley emerged as the sole suspect, leading to his arrest on numerous charges. He faces a total of 34 criminal counts, including significant charges such as theft scheme ranging from $1,500 to under $25,000, second-degree burglary, and possession of controlled paraphernalia intended for the illegal administration of a controlled dangerous substance.
Raley has been transported to the Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, where he awaits a bond hearing.
This case highlights a critical breach of trust and security within the county’s EMS operations, which rely on the integrity of medical supplies, including potent narcotics like fentanyl.
