Hawkeye Reporter

A former nurse from Onawa, Iowa, has been sentenced to over three years in federal prison for multiple offenses including drug diversion, illegal firearms possession, and bank fraud. Sarah Ann Haptonstall, 47, admitted to acquiring controlled substances through misrepresentation and possessing a firearm as a felon. She also committed bank fraud against a small business where she worked as a bookkeeper.

Haptonstall's criminal activities included burglarizing homes to steal narcotic pain medication and replacing patients' prescribed drugs with Tylenol while working at nursing homes. Her actions left one resident in severe pain during her final days. Additionally, Haptonstall embezzled over $8,000 by creating fraudulent checks.

Her extensive criminal history dates back to the late 1990s with theft convictions and dismissed charges upon restitution agreements. In 2006, she was convicted of forgery and later faced charges for drug-related offenses.

Sentenced by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand in Sioux City, Haptonstall received 42 months of imprisonment along with orders to pay restitution and attorney fees. She will also serve three years of supervised release post-incarceration.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek with investigations conducted by various agencies including the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Department of Health and Human Services.