An Iowa nurse accused of drug use and patient abandonment began working at a Fremont County nursing home last fall, just nine days after the Iowa Board of Nursing found probable cause to file disciplinary charges against him.
State records show that although the board reached its probable cause decision in September 2025, the charges were not made public until this week.
The disciplinary case involves Raymond DeLeon, a 66-year-old licensed practical nurse from Glenwood. The allegations partly stem from incidents at Douglas County Health Center, a 254-bed facility in Omaha. In February 2024, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services received what it described as “photographic evidence of DeLeon using illicit controlled substances.”
After DeLeon declined a request to undergo drug testing, the facility terminated his employment. Officials cited unlawful drug use in the workplace or working under the influence, incompetence in nursing duties, and conduct harmful to the employer’s reputation.
Nebraska authorities later determined DeLeon posed a “significant risk to public safety” and revoked his ability to work as a nurse in the state. However, because his Iowa license remained active, he continued practicing there.
Records indicate that on Sept. 8, 2025, the Iowa Board of Nursing found probable cause to charge DeLeon with having his license revoked or suspended by another authority. That same day, he interviewed for a job at Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah.
By Sept. 17, before the board’s decision became public, DeLeon had already begun working at the facility.
According to state inspectors, a registered nurse later reported that DeLeon frequently left the building during overnight shifts, went to his car, and returned “hyped up.” The nurse also said she refused to give him access to the facility’s narcotics cabinet due to concerns she had raised with management.
Court records show that around 1 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2025, DeLeon left work during his overnight shift and drove away to buy gasoline. A Fremont County deputy stopped him shortly after for allegedly driving without headlights on Highway 59.
Police reported finding a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue in his vehicle’s glove compartment, leading to a possession charge.
On Dec. 7, 2025, the Iowa Board of Nursing filed additional probable cause findings, including allegations of unauthorized drug use, excessive substance use, unprofessional conduct, and abandoning a nursing assignment without ensuring patient safety.
In January, while the charges were still not publicly disclosed, DeLeon agreed to stop practicing in Iowa. In exchange, the board agreed not to pursue formal disciplinary action until an investigation by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing was completed.
Earlier this month, DeLeon pleaded guilty to methamphetamine possession. He received a $430 fine and a deferred judgment, which will remove the conviction from his record if he successfully completes one year of probation.
On March 24, both sets of disciplinary charges were finally made public by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing.
When questioned in the past about delays in disclosing licensing actions, the agency has directed inquiries to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, which has, in turn, referred questions back to the agency.
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