Portland, OR. — Dr. Brenda Brown-Carlson, a Portland veterinarian, was sentenced to 60 months of supervised probation on January 13, 2026, in Multnomah County Circuit Court as part of a plea agreement stemming from the diversion of controlled substances that compromised the care of more than 200 animals.
Brown-Carlson admitted to diverting prescription medications for her personal use while employed at two veterinary clinics, replacing them with saline and administering diluted doses to animals undergoing surgery and medical procedures. Prosecutors said the conduct affected patient care across numerous cases.
“DEA has a long-standing relationship of trust and partnership with veterinary providers who are authorized to handle and administer controlled substances to care for animals that are sick,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division. “Ms. Brown-Carlson abused that relationship and trust by diverting prescription drugs for her own personal use and, in doing so, compromised the care of more than 200 animals.”
Brown-Carlson pleaded guilty to one felony count of Tampering with Drug Records, two felony counts of Computer Crimes, and one felony count of Attempted Animal Neglect in the Second Degree. Court documents state she diverted hydromorphone (Schedule II), buprenorphine (Schedule III), and butorphanol (Schedule IV), substituting saline for required doses.
The misconduct came to light after coworkers identified drug discrepancies and reviewed computerized dispensing records and surveillance footage, which showed Brown-Carlson diverting drugs and refilling vials with saline. The clinics reported the activity to the DEA in February 2024, prompting an investigation by the agency’s Seattle Field Division, Portland District Office.
Investigators said Brown-Carlson initially denied the conduct during an interview, even when presented with video evidence, before later admitting to the diversion and surrendering her DEA Certificate of Registration. A Multnomah County Grand Jury subsequently issued a state indictment charging her with multiple felony counts involving more than 40 animals.
Under the plea agreement, Brown-Carlson was sentenced to five years of supervised probation. Conditions prohibit her from employment in any business whose primary purpose is the treatment of animals and from having contact with animals during probation, except for owning and caring for her own pets. She is barred from providing veterinary care to any animals, including her own, and may only interact with others’ pets in the presence of their owners.
“This sentence makes clear that drug-related crime has consequences, but it also acknowledges that meaningful accountability includes addressing addiction through structured treatment to reduce the risk of re-offending in the future,” said Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County District Attorney.
Action by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board regarding Brown-Carlson’s state veterinary license remains pending. Civil penalties related to violations of the Controlled Substances Act tied to her DEA registration are also pending.
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