Photo of a pump for a dropper.
Annie Spratt via Unsplash
Liquid fentanyl intended for patients was stolen by an Iowa nurse with a syringe, according to federal authorities.
Ryan William Thornton, 27, admitted to taking fentanyl from patient pumps while working as a nurse, according to a Nov. 22 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa.
Prosecutors said he took the drug “for personal use.”
On Nov. 21, he pleaded guilty to “procuring fentanyl by deception, fraud, deception and trickery,” according to a news release.
An attorney for Thornton did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment.
The Clear Lake man faces up to four years in prison with one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Clear Lake is about 115 miles north of Des Moines.
