In a shocking turn of events highlighting the darker side of healthcare, an Appleton nurse practitioner has been sentenced for her unlawful actions involving opioid prescriptions. On December 18, 2025, U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller imposed a 16-month prison sentence on Jessica Friday, an advanced practice nurse, who was found guilty of prescribing opioids in violation of legal and medical standards.
Friday’s guilty plea, which she entered on August 13, 2025, stemmed from a serious charge: distributing controlled substances without any legitimate medical purpose and outside the bounds of professional practice. In addition to her prison time, she will face three years of supervised release upon her release from incarceration.
Court documents reveal that between the years 2020 and 2024, Friday irresponsibly issued prescriptions for strong opioids such as oxycodone, despite clear indications that there was no genuine medical necessity for these medications. Disturbingly, prosecutors uncovered that she had made arrangements with various patients, encouraging them to fill these prescriptions and then return a significant portion—often half or more—of the pills back to her for her own use. It was noted that Friday was fully aware that many of these patients were vulnerable, dealing with mental health issues or addiction, and some were even selling the pills they kept.
During the sentencing, Judge Stadtmueller emphasized the severity of Friday's actions, describing her behavior as a significant betrayal of trust. He pointed out the alarming number of prescriptions she wrote without any medical justification, stressing the importance of deterring similar misconduct by other healthcare professionals.
U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel remarked that Friday effectively became a drug dealer herself, "fueling and supplying her own addiction" while contributing to the proliferation of highly addictive substances without any medical rationale. John McGarry, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Milwaukee District Office, condemned such illegal activities by medical practitioners, asserting that they not only jeopardize lives but also erode the integrity of the entire healthcare system. He pledged continued efforts to combat such illicit practices.
The investigation into Friday’s actions was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie F. Stewart.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls within the healthcare system, raising important questions about accountability and ethical responsibility. How can we better safeguard against such abuses in the future? What measures should be taken to ensure medical professionals uphold their duty to protect public health?
