Florida Nurse Who Stole Fentanyl From Patients Heads to Federal Prison
A nurse in Florida who switched patients' fentanyl pain medication with saline has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison.
The Crime
Miami nurse Emmanuel Valentin, 40, received the prison sentence on March 17, 2025, for swapping patients' fentanyl pain medication with saline. Prosecutors said Valentin used a syringe to take the drugs from patients' vials for his own use. Valentin allegedly stole the drugs between July 10, 2023, and Aug. 18, 2023, while working as a registered nurse in a Miami hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab. On Dec. 13, 2024, Valentin pleaded guilty to tampering with medical products. On May 15, 2024, in a different court case, Valentin confessed to stealing fentanyl from another hospital in the Miami area in March 2023.
'Unnecessary Pain'
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida, Valentin's actions not only caused patients to face unnecessary pain but also put them at risk of serious infections, such as Hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases. Valentin used a syringe to take liquid painkillers, like fentanyl and midazolam, from patient vials for himself, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. He then replaced the medicine with saline solution, knowing the vials would be used to give pain relief to patients during medical procedures such as heart catheterizations and stent placements, the news release said.
No Resulting Infections
Valentin also took empty vials from the hospital's biohazard waste bin, filled them with saline, and swapped them for the stolen vials. This waste bin had other contaminated medical waste in it. After firing Valentin, the hospital informed patients about the possible contamination and provided free blood tests. An investigation turned up no resulting infections in patients.
The case of Emmanuel Valentin shows the seriousness of healthcare workers stealing medications from patients. As a nurse, he was trusted to care for others, but instead, he used his position to steal powerful painkillers for himself. His actions not only put patients at risk of pain and infection, but also betrayed the trust placed in him by the hospital and the people he was meant to help. Valentin's cases highlight the importance of holding healthcare workers accountable to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.
References: Fla. Nurse Stole Fentanyl Painkillers from Patients for His Personal Use, Replaced Drugs with Saline | Miami Registered Nurse Headed to Federal Prison for Swapping Medical Fentanyl with Saline
