Tiffin Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing, Reselling UIHC Equipment

Construction worker stole $60,000 in medical devices and other items while working on new North Liberty facility.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A 56-year-old construction worker from Tiffin, Iowa has pleaded guilty to charges that he stole an estimated $60,000 worth of equipment, including medical devices, from the University of Iowa Health Care's new North Liberty facility while working on the construction project between January and May of last year. The man allegedly resold the stolen items on eBay and Facebook Marketplace, advertising them as 'new' at a significant discount.

Why it matters

The theft of medical equipment, especially devices that can only be legally possessed by authorized medical professionals, raises serious concerns about patient safety and the integrity of the healthcare supply chain. This case highlights the need for robust security measures and oversight on construction projects involving sensitive facilities and equipment.

The details

Court records show that Kevin Grimm pleaded guilty to a 1st Degree Theft charge on Monday. Among the stolen items were five class two medical devices that can only be legally possessed by FDA-certified physicians, someone being directly supervised by such a physician, or with a prescription from such a physician. Grimm allegedly had an excellent seller rating online and sold hundreds of the stolen items, advertising them as 'new' at a significant discount.

  • Grimm was working on the UIHC North Liberty construction project between January and May of 2025.
  • Grimm pleaded guilty to the charges on March 5, 2026.
  • Grimm's sentencing is set for June 1, 2026.

The players

Kevin Grimm

A 56-year-old construction worker from Tiffin, Iowa who pleaded guilty to stealing an estimated $60,000 worth of equipment, including medical devices, from the University of Iowa Health Care's new North Liberty facility while working on the construction project.

University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC)

A healthcare system affiliated with the University of Iowa that is building a new facility in North Liberty, Iowa.

University of Iowa Police

The law enforcement agency that investigated the theft of equipment from the UIHC construction site.

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What’s next

Grimm's sentencing is set for June 1, 2026, where the judge will determine his punishment for the 1st Degree Theft conviction.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for heightened security and oversight on construction projects involving sensitive healthcare facilities and equipment, in order to prevent theft and protect patient safety.