The suspect is accused of trying to damage more than 500 doses.
The Wisconsin pharmacist accused of destroying more than 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine has been charged with a felony while the investigation continues, authorities said.
Prosecutors also said during a hearing in the Ozaukee County Court on Tuesday that Stephen Brandenburg’s alleged efforts, including removing 57 vials of Moderna vaccine from refrigerated storage on or around December 24, may have failed to render them unusable. to make.
Brandenburg, 46, confessed to authorities that he had “intentionally disposed of the vaccine vials” on two separate occasions with the aim of getting the vaccine out of the temperature range so that it would be ineffective, “the charges said.
The Moderna vaccine must be refrigerated at temperatures between 36 degrees and 46 degrees Fahrenheit or at risk of losing potency, according to the company.
According to the police, Brandenburg was “a well-known conspiracy theorist.” The criminal charges allege he tried to spoil the vaccines “because everything he researched had led him to believe the vaccine was unsafe for humans and changed their DNA.”
There is absolutely no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines affect a person’s DNA. Moderna and Pfizer’s vaccines use mRNA technology that introduces a small portion of the virus’s genetic code to teach the body how to fight the real virus, without altering a person’s DNA in any way, said Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance .
The Brandenburg attorney entered a plea of not guilty plea for the felony charge of his client for attempted felony criminal damage to property. The attorney did not immediately return ABC News’s requests for comment.
If convicted, Brandenburg, who was released on January 4, could face up to nine months in prison and be fined up to $ 10,000. His next court date is March 18.
The severity of a penalty for Brandenburg may depend on the number of vaccine doses that have actually been disabled.
Fifty-seven of the compromised doses were administered by the time they were thought to be ineffective, Dr. Jeff Bahr, president of the Aurora Health Care Medical Group, said at a news conference last month. Recipients of those doses were notified.
After initial reports that the remaining vials of potentially destroyed vaccine had been destroyed, prosecutors clarified that those vials had been set aside for additional testing.
Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol had to delay charges against Brandenburg after lab experts said they needed more time. Gerol said Tuesday that Moderna is still testing, but “the best evidence at this point is that the vaccine remains viable.”
“If something does happen, there is a possibility that the charges will change,” Gerol said during the hearing. “I hope to know something in the coming weeks.”
Each of the 57 vials, containing 10 doses of the vaccine, is estimated at $ 11,000, police estimate.
The Wisconsin Pharmacy Board voted last week to suspend Brandenburg’s license pending the outcome of its criminal case and the board’s disciplinary proceedings. In 1997 he became a certified pharmacist.
Brandenburg turned over four firearms to law enforcement officers and was ordered not to work as a pharmacist in any capacity as part of his release agreement. He was also ordered not to leave the state without court approval.