A Wisconsin pharmacist is suspected of attempting to destroy hundreds of coronavirus vaccine doses because he believed the drug was not safe, authorities reports on Monday.
Steven Brandenburg, 46, was arrested by Grafton police after 57 vials of the Moderna vaccine appeared to have been ruined, NBC News says.
Brandenburg reportedly took the drugs from a refrigerator and left them out for 12 hours.
According to a probable cause statement by Grafton police Detective Sgt Eric Sutherland, each vaccine vial contained ten doses, a total worth between $8,550 to $11,400.
Brandenburg was “ordered held in lieu” of $10,000 bond by Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge Paul Malloy during a brief court appearance.
Now authorities are alleging that Brandenburg is a conspiracy theorist.
He’s an “admitted conspiracy theorist,” Sutherland stated. He “told investigators that he believed that the Covid-19 vaccine was not safe for people and could harm them and change their DNA.”
“He admitted this was an intentional act,” the statement added.
Brandenburg was charged with suspicion of recklessly endangering safety, adulterating a prescription drug, and criminal damage to property after being arrested.
However, the Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol revealed uncertainty on whether Brandenburg’s actions destroyed the doses or could still be successfully used.
Moderna officials will have to examine the doses to conclude the status of its use, Gerol added.
If officials determine that the doses were not ruined, the charges could be reduced.
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