Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.

Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw

United States of America v. Lauren Hornbuckle

Date: 06-11-2026

Case Number: 25-cr-00304

Judge: Mary J. Scriven

Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Hillsborough County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Gregory Davis Pizzo

Defendant's Attorney: Ron Hanes

Description:
Tampa, Florida, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with attempt to tamper with consumer products.

Reported by: Kent Morlan

Lauren Hornbuckle, ate 37, of Seminole, Fllorida, was a Florida-licensed registered nurse who worked at Hospital #1. Between November 2023 and March 2024, Hornbuckle tampered with injectable controlled substances, including morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl, by removing them from their containers and replacing them with saline. She then returned the containers into circulation for other patients’ medical needs and used the drugs for her own personal use. By tampering with the injectable controlled substances, Hornbuckle acted with reckless disregard for the risk that patients would be in danger of bodily injury and under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to such risk.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo.
Outcome:
Imprisonment: 24 Months. Supervised Release: 3 Years. Fine: Waived. Special Assessment: $100.00.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:

About This Case

What was the outcome of United States of America v. Lauren Hornbuckle?

The outcome was: Imprisonment: 24 Months. Supervised Release: 3 Years. Fine: Waived. Special Assessment: $100.00.

Which court heard United States of America v. Lauren Hornbuckle?

This case was heard in United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Hillsborough County), FL. The presiding judge was Mary J. Scriven.

Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Lauren Hornbuckle?

Plaintiff's attorney: Gregory Davis Pizzo. Defendant's attorney: Ron Hanes.

When was United States of America v. Lauren Hornbuckle decided?

This case was decided on June 11, 2026.