SAN JOSE, Calif. — Mark Michael Moalem, a 23-year veteran of the San Jose Fire Department (SJFD), is facing criminal charges and the suspension of his EMT license following his April 16 arrest on suspicion of stealing narcotics from a fire station.
The 45-year-old Gilroy resident was charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor counts of possessing and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Moalem is currently out on $63,000 bail and has been ordered to return to court on August 27. He did not enter a plea at his arraignment.
The charges stem from a theft at Station 4, where a vial of morphine was found tampered with. Earlier that day, a paramedic reported that morphine doses had no effect on a patient, prompting an inspection of the station’s medication lockboxes. An audit later revealed over 400 tampered vials at 17 of the city’s 34 fire stations. Moalem’s vehicle was captured on surveillance near Station 4, and his presence at other stations while off duty raised red flags.
During a search of his home, investigators recovered:
Six morphine vial caps
Four midazolam vials and caps
IV bags and a large number of needles
Authorities matched lot numbers from the drugs at his home to those missing from Station 4. Disposable syringes were also found in his work locker.
While Moalem is currently charged only in connection with the Station 4 theft, the scope of the investigation suggests a wider issue. Tampering methods included opening tamper-proof vials and substituting their contents, potentially putting patients at serious risk.
This isn’t Moalem’s first incident. In 2013, he was found unconscious in a fire station restroom next to a syringe and morphine vial. He admitted to an opioid addiction stemming from a 2005 back injury. He avoided a felony conviction through a deferred judgment and completed a rehabilitation program, narrowly retaining his paramedic license.
The Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) placed Moalem’s license on five-year probation and SJFD imposed a four-year internal probation, which included pay cuts and random drug tests.
Despite the earlier warning signs, Moalem returned to duty with support from his treatment team, union, and department leaders. But with these new charges and the scale of the tampering, officials are now questioning how long the risks may have gone unchecked.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen condemned the betrayal of public trust:
“There is no excuse for violating the trust and safety of Santa Clara County residents.”
Moalem’s attorneys maintain his integrity, stating:
“We are confident that when all the facts come to light, a clear picture of Mr. Moalem will emerge — one that affirms the character of a man who has dedicated years to public service.”
The case remains under investigation, and further charges may follow.
