PARAMEDIC CHARGED WITH TAKING DRUGS
NARCOTIC REMOVED FROM MEDICAL SUPPLIES

A 44-year-old Clearwater Fire Department paramedic was charged with one count of Theft of a Controlled Substance this morning, a charge stemming from the March 27 theft of the contents of two vials of narcotics stored at a fire station.

DARREN ROBERT KEITH (03-03-61) was released from the Pinellas County Jail shortly after his 9 a.m. arrest by Clearwater Police Department Detectives.

Keith, who resigned from the Clearwater Fire Department last week, admitted to investigators that he took - for his personal use - the contents of the vials of Fentanyl, a Schedule II narcotic.

The drugs were stored at the Clearwater Fire Department substation on Sand Key.

According to investigators, Keith used a syringe to take the drug out of the two vials, and then replaced the missing liquid with water. Shortly after the narcotic was taken, Keith reported the vials as looking as if they had been tampered with, and they were removed from possible use on paramedics’ patients.

When interviewed by Detectives, Keith admitted to his actions. Although there is no evidence of similar such action by other city employees - nor that Keith altered or contaminated other vials of drugs - Clearwater Police Detectives’ investigation continues.

For additional details regarding the case, please contact Public Information Officer Wayne Shelor at (727)-562-4333.

/s/
Captain Robert Jones
Commander - Criminal Investigations Division