A registered nurse was sentenced Monday to 26 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing medical-grade fentanyl from the Miami hospital where he worked.
Emmanuel Valentin, 40, of Miami, worked in the cardiac catheterization lab at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. From July 10 to Aug. 18, 2023, he used a syringe to extract fentanyl and midazolam from vials, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
At the time, Valentin was on state probation for stealing fentanyl from another Miami-area hospital, which fired him in March 2023.
In the federal case, Valentin retrieved discarded vials from a biohazard disposal bin, filled them with saline and used them to replace vials that he stole, the Justice Department said. The bin contained other contaminated medical waste.
Valentin knew the saline would be given to patients for pain relief during medical procedures, prosecutors said.
HCA Florida Kendall fired Valentin, notified patients of possible contamination and offered patients free blood testing. No acute infections were discovered, officials said.
Valentin pleaded guilty to tampering with consumer products on Dec. 13.
In his plea, Valentin’s said HCA Florida Kendall was not aware of why he was fired from his previous job, the Miami Herald reported.
In the state case, Valentin pleaded guilty May 15 and was placed on probation through May 2027.
