Former Nurse Sentenced For Sendi

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On August 23, 2021, Della Marie Gibson, 37, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge H. Bruce Guyton to two counts of sending biohazardous materials through the United States mail. After receiving her guilty pleas, the Court imposed a two-year sentence of probation.

According to documents filed with the Court, on or about April 5, 2021, Gibson mailed and had delivered, using the United States Postal Service (USPS), a package containing feces to her husband’s ex-wife. On or about April 9, 2021, Gibson obtained human blood from a patient during her regular duties as a registered nurse and placed the patient’s blood on a feminine napkin, which Gibson then mailed to the same victim using the USPS.

While on probation, Gibson will be supervised by the United States Probation Office and must undergo mental health treatment, anger management treatment, and have no contact with the victim or her minor children. In addition, Gibson is prohibited from obtaining or seeking a position in the healthcare field involving direct contact with patients.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting those who use the United States Postal Service to threaten or intimidate individuals or to jeopardize the safety of federal employees,” said Acting United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III.

“The egregious acts done by this defendant in mailing the biohazardous materials could have caused potential harm to the intended recipient, our postal employees and facilities,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “Postal Inspectors are committed to defending the nation’s mail system and providing a safe environment for Postal Service employees and customers. We are grateful for the assistance from our law enforcement partners and the swift action taken by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to obtain a conviction and sentencing for this investigation.”

The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspector and the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States.

Nurse sends feces, blood to local woman

Parker Wright news-herald.net

An Oak Ridge nurse turned herself in May 10 at the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office to face various harassment, stalking and vandalism charges.

The case involving Della Marie Gibson Lathum, 37, has since been turned over to federal authorities, LCSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Davis said.

Lathum was charged with outstanding warrants for vandalism, five counts of harassment and two counts of stalking and released on $7,000 bond after spending 21 hours in jail. One of her stalking charges was later dismissed.

According to an LCSO report, the charges date back to March 29-April 19.

In a report written by Lenoir City Police Department Sgt. Lynette Ladd, Lathum “did commit a pattern of conduct composed of a series of two or more separate, noncontinuous acts” that caused a Lenoir City woman and her juvenile daughter “emotional distress.”

Lathum mailed the teen a card with derogatory remarks about the girl’s mother such as, “You suck at cheer,” “We don’t like you. No one likes you,” “You are poor white trash faking a fancy life” and “Your mom is broke and lazy (and) won’t pay her bills,” Ladd wrote in a report. The card was disguised as an invitation to a party.

Lathum told investigators the letter was sent to “annoy and offend” the girl.

Lathum also admitted to mailing the woman “dog feces, a sanitary napkin with human blood she obtained from one of her patients where she is employed at Park West Hospital, a letter with derogatory comments and a letter saying, ‘You don’t belong in our world’,” according to reports.

United States Postal inspectors identified Lathum as the sender of the biohazardous materials. Lathum said she would normally dispose of the blood from a blood draw but set it aside with intentions of mailing it to the woman.

Lathum also left a rock on the woman’s doorstep with a red letter “A” written on it and vandalized the woman’s car while parked outside Lenoir City High School by scratching the paint and causing more than $1,000 in damage.

The woman told investigators she received mail from Lathum on three separate occasions.

Lathum’s booking reports identify her as unemployed. She is scheduled to appear July 28 in Loudon County General Sessions Court.

Former Nurse Sentenced For Sending Biohazardous Material Through The Mail