ESU Police Officer’s History with Narcotics

The ESU police station is part of the Hemlock Suites. Photo Credit / Jamie Reese
The ESU police station is part of the Hemlock Suites. Photo Credit / Jamie Reese
The ESU police station is part of the Hemlock Suites.
Photo Credit / Jamie Reese

BY SARAH BORYS

SC Copy Editor

East Stroudsburg campus police officer Matt Brill was investigated in April 2013 in response to a call from Forks Urgent Care about a suspicious person.

According to the police report, police responded to a call from Forks Urgent Care when Dr. Paul W. Bisio encountered a suspicious male who was trying to obtain three months worth of painkillers.

The new patient, identified as Matt Brill, told the doctor that he had a back injury as the result of a weightlifting incident and needed ninety pills because he would be in Delaware for a funeral.

Dr. Bisio informed his patient that he could only give him 20 Ultram painkillers.

According to drugs.com, Ultram, also known as tramadol, is a narcotic-like pain reliever. It is an extended-release pill that can be used to treat moderate to severe pain when the treatment is needed around the clock.

During the visit, Bisio noted that Brill seemed suspicious. Brill was 40 miles from his residence and was wearing his ESU Police gun and badge. He said he had no regular doctor, and wanted enough pills to cover a three to four week trip to Delaware for the funeral of his cousin.

Believing that Brill looked familiar, Dr. Bisio conducted a Google search on his patient and found an article on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s website. When a patient seems to be seeking painkillers, Bisio believes that he is obligated to contact police.

At the time, the Attorney General was Tom Corbett—now the Governor. According to the article on the Attorney General’s website, Brill was arrested for “unlawfully obtaining prescription narcotics.”

Also according to the website, “Court documents state that from March 2009 through June 2009 Brill filled 40 prescriptions for large quantities of Tussionex, Azithromycin, Carisoprodol, Ultram, Vicodin, Avelox, Soma, Alprazolam, Vicoprofen, and Lorazepam.” These drugs are a mix of painkillers, antibiotics, anxiety medications, and an anti-inflammatory medication.

According to Corbett, Brill unlawfully obtained 1,135 tablets and 1,240 milliliters of various controlled substances, and 459 tablets of non-controlled substances.

The website also states that, “Brill is charged with one count of acquiring possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of unlawful acts under the Pharmacy Act.”

Brill’s troubles with the law don’t end there, as another incident occurred in April of 2010 on the ESU campus.

In April 2010, a student was expelled when drugs were found in her dorm room.

According to her complaint, her due process was violated, because Brill entered her room without a warrant or probable cause, and searched and seized her purse without first reading her Miranda rights to her.

Brill’s case regarding the Forks Urgent Care incident is “cleared by exceptional means.”

According to the FBI’s website, “Elements beyond law enforcement’s control prevent the agency from arresting and formally charging the offender. When this occurs, the agency can clear the offense exceptionally.”

The FBI website states that to clear a case exceptionally, law enforcement agencies must meet four conditions—identify the offender, gather enough evidence to support an arrest, make a charge, and turn over the offender to the court for prosecution, identify the offender’s exact location so that the suspect can be taken into custody immediately, and encounter a circumstance outside the control of law enforcement that prohibits the agency from arresting, charging, and prosecuting the offender.

Some examples of exceptional means include the death of the offender, the victim’s refusal to cooperate, and denial of extradition.

According to ESU human resources, on October 7, 2013, Matt Brill is still currently employed by the ESU Police Department.

Email Sarah at:

sborys@live.esu.edu