The suspect is accused of attempting to damage more than 500 doses.
The Wisconsin pharmacist accused of attempting to destroy more than 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine has been charged with a felony while the investigation continues, according to authorities.
Prosecutors also said Tuesday in a hearing in Ozaukee County court that Stephen Brandenburg’s alleged efforts, including the removal of 57 vials of the Modern vaccine from refrigerated storage on or about Dec. 24, may not have managed to disable them.
Brandenburg, 46, confessed to authorities that he had intentionally “removed” the vaccine vials on two different occasions “for the purpose of allowing the vaccine to be out of temperature range so that it would not be effective,” according to the complaint. penal.
The Modern vaccine must be cooled to temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit or there is a risk of losing power, according to the company.
According to police, Brandenburg was “an admitted conspiracy theorist.” The criminal complaint alleges that he tried to break the vaccines “because everything he has investigated had led him to believe that the vaccine was not safe for people and altered their DNA.”
There is absolutely no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines affect a person’s DNA. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines use mRNA technology that introduces a small part of the virus’s genetic code to teach the body how to fight the real virus, without changing a person’s DNA in any way, according to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Brandenburg’s attorney filed a guilty plea for his client’s crime to attempt criminal damages to the property. The lawyer did not immediately return requests for comment from ABC News.
If convicted, Brandenburg, who was released on bail on Jan. 4, could face up to nine months in prison and be fined up to $ 10,000. His next court date will be March 18.
The severity of any punishment for Brandenburg could depend on the number of doses of vaccine that actually became unusable.
Fifty-seven of the compromised doses were administered when they were thought to be ineffective, said Aurora Health Care medical group president Dr. Jeff Bahr, at a press conference last month. Recipients of these doses were notified.
After initial reports of the destruction of the remaining roads of potentially ruined vaccine, prosecutors clarified that these roads had been hijacked for further testing.
Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol had to postpone Brandenburg’s charge after lab experts said they needed more time. Gerol said Tuesday that Moderna is still conducting tests, but “the best test at the moment is that the vaccine is still viable.”
“If something comes up, there is a possibility that the charges may change,” Gerol said during the hearing. “I hope to know something in the coming weeks.”
Each of the 57 vials, which contain 10 doses of the vaccine, is valued at $ 11,000, according to police.
The Wisconsin Pharmacy Board last week voted to suspend the Brandenburg license pending the outcome of its criminal case and the board’s disciplinary process. He became a licensed pharmacist in 1997.
Brandenburg handed over four firearms to police officers and was ordered not to work anywhere as a pharmacist as part of his release agreement. He was also ordered not to leave the state without judicial approval.