St. Mary's County, MD, EMS Chief Arrested for Stealing Drugs from Medic Bags

July 25, 2024

Thomas P. Raley, 39, who faced similar charges six years ago, reportedly took fentanyl out of jump bags and EMS facilities.

Susan Nicol

The Emergency Medical Services Chief in St. Mary’s County has been arrested for stealing fentanyl from medic bags.

Thomas Patrick Raley, 39, was identified as the lone suspect, WJLA reported.

He is accused of taking the drug from medic bags as well as EMS facilities.

The investigation started July 16 when personnel noticed the security seals on jump bags had been compromised.

Deputies didn't list the exact charges when they accounced his arrest.

In 2019, Raley was charged with a similar offense at Leonardtown Rescue Squad,

Raley was found tampering with a medical box containing Morphine, Ketamine, and Midazolam controlled substances.

The chief medic at the department notified the sheriff's office after observing the seal on one of the medical boxes had been broken and poorly repaired with glue, Southern Maryland News Net reported.

During questioning, Raley admitted that he had stolen the medications due to a personal struggle with substance abuse.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.