Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
A firefighter-paramedic with the Dothan Fire Department has been charged in connection with the theft of 42 vials of fentanyl from the department’s inventory. Jesse R. Taylor was arrested by Dothan police and charged with trafficking fentanyl and theft.
The fire department reported the fentanyl being missing in February. The police notified the DEA and US Attorney’s office, who may opt to bring additional federal charges.
Taylor was placed on administrative leave by the fire department on March 16, 2022. Following his arrest this week he has been terminated by the Dothan Fire Department. According to a press release issued by the Dothan Police Chief William E. Benny:
It is disturbing to all when a member of the public safety community violates the trust placed on them by the citizens they serve. The Dothan Fire Department and Chief Larry Williams have been transparent and assisted in the investigation in every way possible. By the nature of Taylor’s position in the Fire Department, he was able to access the storage location and remove the medication without suspicion until the inventory revealed the discrepancy. There are no other suspects in this case.
