July 29, 2014 at 1:10 p.m.
Former RHS English teacher facing new charge
Juergens accused of stealing medical equipment valued at more than $9,000
Former RHS English teacher facing new charge
According to a criminal complaint filed July 28, Juergens, 36, is accused of stealing a patient monitor valued at $8,710 during a visit to the urgent care department at Ministry St. Mary's Hospital. He is also accused of taking a digital thermometer valued at $550 and cables valued at $250 to $300.
This is Juergens' second brush with the law in less than a year.
The former educator was sentenced to 31 days in jail and four years probation in January after he entered guilty pleas to two misdemeanor counts of theft, a misdemeanor count of possession of THC and a felony count of manufacture/delivery of THC.
Those charges were filed after investigators found a 66-plant marijuana grow in Juergens' home, along with drug paraphernalia and several prescription medications. Investigators also found several items believed to have been stolen from the high school.
The school district terminated Juergens' employment last November after the drug and theft charges were filed.
According to an officer's report on the alleged medical equipment theft, Juergens' girlfriend discovered the patient monitor and thermometer in a plastic bag after the two arrived home from a visit to the hospital. She returned the items to the hospital.
The girlfriend told police Juergens was walking around the exam room touching equipment during the visit. At one point she said he asked her to leave the room so he could ask questions of the medical staff. He also asked for a plastic bag. About a half hour later he walked out of the urgent care department with the plastic bag and his jacket, she said. After she discovered the medical equipment in the plastic bag, the girlfriend said Juergens told her the monitor was a TV and the thermometer was a remote control.
When confronted by police Juergens admitted to taking the items but said he was under the influence of very strong medications and was not thinking clearly. He said he did not know what he was going to do with the equipment.
Juergens made his initial appearance on the theft charge Monday in front of Judge Patrick O'Melia. A $7,500 signature bond was set.
He is due back in court Aug. 7 for preliminary hearing. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
Ministry did not respond to a request for comment before press time.
Comments:
You must login to comment.