Decommissioned police officer Donald Lawman and his wife, former Davidson County Sheriff’s employee Jennifer Marie Vardaman (also known as Jennifer Lynn Lawman), surrendered themselves tonight on a Davidson County Grand Jury indictment charging them with obtaining prescription medication by fraud.
Vardaman, 36, is named in all 16 counts of the indictment, which was returned today. She is charged primarily with fraudulently obtaining the pain killer hydrocodone on various days between April 23, 2008, and March 19, 2010. Donald Lawman, also 36, is named as a co-defendant in two counts that allege he participated in fraudulently obtaining the drug alprazolam, an anxiety/depression medication, and hydrocodone.
Lawman was decommissioned by the police department in May 2010, after suspicions arose of him receiving excessive amounts of prescription medication. At the time of his removal from duty, Lawman was assigned to the Hermitage Precinct’s evening Flex Unit.
The investigation shows that the drugs allegedly illegally obtained by the couple were for their personal use. Detectives in the Specialized Investigations Division believe that now deceased Dr. Carey Browder, who maintained a medical practice in Smyrna, was involved in this drug scheme and provided prescriptions. Browder committed suicide at his Summit Oaks Drive home in Bellevue on May 4, 2010. His wife said Browder had been depressed.
Lawman was employed by the police department as a police officer trainee on July 1, 2007. He received a six-day suspension for improperly storing his department-issued shotgun in his personal vehicle, which resulted in the weapon being stolen, in January 2010.
“Fraudulently obtaining prescription medication is a significant issue that has permeated various segments of society,” Chief Steve Anderson said. “There will be no tolerance for this type of illegal behavior in the Nashville police department. Administrative charges against Donald Lawman are forthcoming.”
Bond for Lawman has been set at $20,000 by a Criminal Court Judge. His wife’s bond is set at $50,000.
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