Miami Nurse Sentenced to Federal Prison for Swapping Fentanyl With Saline
A registered nurse in Miami has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to tampering with medical-grade fentanyl intended for patients undergoing cardiac procedures.
Emmanuel Valentin, 40, admitted to the crime in December 2024 and was convicted of tampering with consumer products. Authorities say Valentin, who worked at a hospital's cardiac catheterization lab, removed fentanyl and midazolam from vials between July 10 and August 18, 2023, replacing them with saline. These painkillers were meant to alleviate discomfort during procedures such as cardiac catheterization and stent placements.
Investigators also found that Valentin retrieved discarded vials from a biohazard waste bin, refilled them with saline, and returned them to circulation in place of the stolen medication. The waste bin contained other contaminated medical materials, increasing the risk of infection for patients.
While no acute infections were reported, the hospital dismissed Valentin, informed potentially affected patients, and provided free blood testing.
Valentin had also previously admitted to stealing fentanyl from another Miami-area hospital in March 2023, leading to a separate state prosecution in May 2024.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Abraham.