Beach nurse gets 2 years for identity theft

NORFOLK

Calling the crime "very disturbing," a federal judge sentenced a nurse to two years in prison after she admitted stealing the identities of several patients, some suffering from dementia, and going on a $14,000 shopping spree.

Erica S. Fowler, 27, of Virginia Beach, said nothing before U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar gave her the mandatory two-year prison term. Doumar allowed Fowler to remain free on bond until Feb. 24, when she is to report to prison.

Fowler, who previously pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, admitted that she stole the personal identifications of nine patients while working as a nurse at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Princess Anne Road in 2008.

She admitted using the identifications to obtain credit cards, which she then used to buy $14,000 in merchandise, including clothes and furniture.

"It's very disturbing, because she was in a position of trust," Doumar said. "These were vulnerable victims."

Some of the patients involved suffered from Alzheimer's or other dementia-type diseases.

"They would have never known what happened to them," Doumar said.

The crime was uncovered when a relative of a patient noticed unusual charges on a credit card.

Doumar said he was puzzled by the fact that Fowler was once an honor student who received a college scholarship. He said it's very seldom that someone with a 4.0 grade-point average appears before him.

Fowler left college and pursued a nursing career. She worked for Our Lady of Perpetual Help nursing home for four months in 2008 and began stealing patient identity information after one month on the job, according to court filings.

"There doesn't seem to be any justification for this," Doumar said. "It's such a waste of an intelligent person."

Assistant U.S. Attorney James Metcalfe told the judge that Fowler acted out of simple greed.

"I do think two years is enough time for this person to get back on the straight and narrow - if she works at it," he said.

Fowler continues to hold a nursing license but has a disciplinary proceeding pending before the state nursing licensing board.

Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com