Ryan EppersonWhen Ryan Epperson was found wandering in Erlanger hospital on May 27, he was dressed in a surgeon's scrubs and his pockets were filled with vials of the painkiller Demerol.
On Tuesday, a more somber and composed Epperson appeared before Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Christie Sell, wearing a white button-down shirt and a tie.
Epperson, who until Tuesday was a Hamilton County detention deputy, was arrested in May on charges he dressed as a surgeon in an elaborate attempt to steal drugs from all three of Chattanooga's major hospitals. In addition to the drugs in his pocket, officers found bags of stolen narcotics at his home. After his arrest, Epperson asked if he could return other narcotics he stole from Parkridge Medical Center, CHI Memorial Hospital and Erlanger, according to an arrest affidavit. He was charged with multiple drug, vandalism and impersonation charges.
Epperson waived a preliminary hearing in General Sessions Court on Tuesday and agreed that his charges would be sent directly to a grand jury. Any remaining charges stemming from the separate incidents of theft, which authorities believe happened over the course of a week, will be filed directly in criminal court. Epperson will remain free on a $93,000 bond.
Epperson's attorney, Bill Speek, said Epperson resigned immediately after the Tuesday hearing and is seeking substance abuse counseling.
"We don't believe there will be any evidence of reselling drugs," Speek said.
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