EMS official arrested for tampering with, stealing fentanyl from medic boxes

ST. MARY'S COUNTY, Md. — Police have announced the charges against the St. Mary’s County chief of emergency medical services arrested for tampering with medic boxes.

Thomas Patrick Raley, 39, was arrested on 34 criminal charges on Sept. 11. Raley was named a suspect on July 16. 

The Department of Emergency Medical Services discovered a broken security seal on an EMS narcotics box in July. Inside the box, detectives found that vials of fentanyl had been compromised, St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office said.

After finding that tampered box, the sheriff’s office discovered more boxes tampered with in multiple medic units and EMS facilities in the county.

With that investigation, detectives identified Raley, who was the chief of EMS, as the suspect in July and finally arrested him on a warrant in September.

Raley’s 34 criminal counts included one count of theft scheme of $1500 to under $25,000, theft scheme of $100 to under $1500 and second-degree burglary; three counts of theft of $100 to less than $1500; four counts of theft less than $100; two counts rogue and vagabond; 21 counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, not cannabis; and one count of possession of controlled paraphernalia for purposes of illegally administering a controlled dangerous substance. 

Raley is currently awaiting a bond hearing at the Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown.

If you, or someone you know, has substance abuse issues there is help available. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at (800) 662-4357. 

Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and can be purchased over the counter or requested from many health departments at no cost. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system. According to the CDC, it may be administered on people of all ages. 

Where to find Naloxone in DC, Maryland and Virginia: