Former Denver Paramedic Accused of Fentanyl Theft

A former Denver Health paramedic was indicted by a grand jury after being accused of stealing 50 vials of fentanyl and tampering with another 20 over the last four years.

The paramedic is facing 20 counts of tampering with a consumer product and 38 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by deception.

During his employment with Denver Health, the paramedic allegedly stole 50 vials containing 5,000 micrograms of fentanyl between Nov. 5, 2018, and Jan. 12, 2022, claiming the drug was for patient use but kept them for himself, the indictment said.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced on August 22, 2022, that the paramedic was been indicted on charges of tampering with a consumer product and obtaining a controlled substance by deceit.

According to the indictment, between November 8, 2021, and January 13, 2022, the defendant, with reckless disregard for the risk that another person would be placed in danger of bodily injury, and under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to such risk, tampered with fentanyl, by removing fentanyl from 20 vials and replacing it with another substance. The indictment also states between November 5, 2018 and January 12, 2022, the defendant obtained fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge, by misrepresenting that a vial or vials of fentanyl were used for a patient, when in fact the defendant acquired and obtained the fentanyl for himself.

“In January 2022, Denver Health became aware of a possible drug theft involving a Denver Health paramedic. We immediately notified the proper authorities and conducted an internal investigation. At the conclusion of our investigation, the paramedic was terminated,” a statement from Denver Health said. Denver Health said in a statement that it was made aware in January of the potential theft and pending charges and immediately launched an investigation. The paramedic was fired after authorities completed the internal investigation.

“Our internal investigation found that no patients were harmed, and no patients went without medication because of the individual’s actions. While we had internal safeguards in place prior to this incident, we have enhanced protocols regarding control of opioids,” Denver Health’s statement said.