Hospital pharmacist accused of sabotaging vaccines with a flat-earther

GRAFTON, Wis. – Newly sealed court documents depict a former Milwaukee hospital pharmacist in the suburbs accused of sabotaging hundreds of doses of COVID-19 vaccine as an admissible conspiracy theorist who believes in unfounded ideas that are not rooted – that the earth is flat, the vaccine is a microchip. ‘and could cause infertility, and would bring a gun to work’ in case the army would come to take him away. ‘

Steven Brandenburg, 46, of Grafton, was charged in a federal court in Milwaukee last week with two counts of attempting to tamper with a consumer product and pleading guilty to that charge. He is also facing charges of attempted criminal damage. He pleaded not guilty in that case.

In a recent investigation, Brandenburg’s assistant at Advocate Aurora Medical Center in Grafton warned her supervisors about finding a box containing 57 scales of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine – which according to health officials equals hundreds of doses – in the early days. coldroom. morning hours of December 26th.

Finally, 57 people were given the vaccine in question in the morning during a vaccination clinic. Attorney Aurora, medical officer, dr. Jeff Bahr, said at a news conference on Dec. 31 that the 57 doses administered on Dec. 26 were not harmful but were not effective.

The assistant, Sarah Sticker, told investigators she immediately suspected that Brandenburg had removed the vaccines. She said Brandenburg had been adhering to conspiracy theories for months and was outspoken about his belief in the vaccine, telling Sticker that he did not believe the virus was real, that the vaccine was “targeted” would “eliminate” people’s birth control. , others will make infertile. Sticker said she observed Brandenburg research if there was a way to track whether the vaccines were kept at the required temperature.

Sticker told federal agents Brandenburg believes’ the earth is flat; the sky is not really, but rather a shield put up by the government to prevent individuals from seeing God; and the day of judgment is coming, ‘according to the court documents.

During her next shift, Sticker said Brandenburg waited for her outside her hockey to ‘talk’, confronted her and feared that Brandenburg would become ‘desperate’ or ‘unhindered’. Brandenburg is currently going through a divorce. Sticker added Brandenburg had earlier shown her a gun he had brought to work, “in case the army would come to take him away,” according to a warrant affidavit, and that she believes he carried it to him while he was at work.

Messages left with a phone number indicated by Sticker, as well as an email, were not returned immediately. The telephone lawyer, Jason Baltz, from Brandenburg declined to comment.

“According to an affidavit filed by Brandenburg’s wife on December 30, Brandenburg stopped at his wife’s home in early December and unloaded a water purifier and two 30-day food supplies, saying the world was busy.” crashes “and that she in denial. He said the government was planning cyber attacks and would shut down the power grid. His wife added that he stored food and guns in rental units.

A court commissioner found that Brandenburg’s children were in imminent danger and temporarily banned them from staying with him.

The revelations in the case come through a warrant filed because federal investigators wanted to review several of Brandenburg’s electronic devices, including his cell phone and laptop, including any communications or records he may have regarding the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine and his internet history. What investigators found on the devices is not yet clear.

Brandenburg was charged in a federal court in Milwaukee last week for recklessly ignoring another person’s risk by tampering with the bottles. According to a plea agreement, Brandenburg intends to plead guilty, but has not yet filed a formal plea.

In interviews with attorney Aurora investigators, Brandenburg initially said he returned the box of vaccine or forgot to put it back in the refrigerator. However, Brandenburg later admitted that he had deliberately removed the vaccine twice, only on the evening of December 24, before it was replaced; and again on December 25, when Sticker found it early the next morning at 26.

Brandenburg then emailed a confession to hospital investigators on Dec. 30, admitting that he had removed the vaccine from the store twice to make it ineffective because he believed it altered people’s DNA. In the email, Brandenburg said his “actions were inexcusable and I apologize for the damage I did,” pointing to his pending divorce, which caused him stress and that he “does not think clearly”, “regardless my personal view on the vaccine-related issue. “

Brandenburg voluntarily suspended his pharmacy license earlier this month, pending the outcome of the criminal cases. A spokesman for the Department of Safety and Professional Services told FOX6 on Monday that an investigation is underway and once completed, it will be submitted to the pharmacy’s investigation board for consideration.

Ozaukee County District Attorney said during a court hearing earlier this month that the vials removed from the store are being tested by Moderna to determine if they are still effective.

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Brandenburg has waived the charge of federal charges and is expected to appear in a video conference before a federal judge next week due to coronavirus measures. He will also appear in court in Ozaukee County again next month. He remains out of touch with the connection.