A dental assistant who pleaded guilty to tampering with fentanyl vials from the Colorado oral surgery practice where she worked has been sentenced, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
Amber June Hyatt, 47, of Evergreen, CO, was sentenced to one year plus one day in U.S. prison after agreeing to a plea deal. Additionally, she was sentenced to two years of supervised release, according to the press release.
In June 2023, Hyatt was a dental assistant at an oral surgery practice in Littleton, CO. While working there, Hayatt's roommate allegedly found several fentanyl vials and their safety caps in a plastic bag in her purse at their home. The practice reported the possible theft of the drugs to authorities after it was informed of what was found by the roommate, according to the release.
A subsequent investigation revealed that boxes of fentanyl citrate in the practice’s controlled substance safe had been altered. Upon testing the substances in the suspected tampered vials, it was determined that seven contained a replacement liquid, including one that was contaminated with bacteria, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“Unsuspecting patients are put at serious risk when crimes like this are committed in healthcare practices,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly said in the press release. “Would-be fentanyl thieves should take note that this behavior gets you a ticket to federal prison.”
