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Former Florida nurse accused of switching vials of liquid fentanyl with saline

MIAMI — A registered nurse in South Florida, whose license was suspended in August, is accused of tampering with vials of liquid fentanyl and replacing them with saline, federal prosecutors said.

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According to a news release on Friday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Catherine Shannon Dunton, 54, of Port St. Lucie, was charged with one count of tampering with a consumer product.

The incidents occurred at The Surgery Center at Jensen Beach, TCPalm.com reported. Dunton, according to the indictment, removed fentanyl from the vials and replaced them with saline “and returned the adulterated vials to be used in medical procedures.”

According to an investigation conducted in August by the Florida Department of Health, Dunton allegedly swapped the vials at the outpatient surgery center from Feb. 28 to April 18 this year, WPEC-TV reported.

Dunton, hired at the center in 2021, allegedly switched the vials “two to three days a week,” TCPalm.com reported.

If convicted, Dunton faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, the news release stated. She also could face a maximum fine of $250,000, TCPalm.com reported.

Records show she was released from federal custody after posting bail for $150,000, the news outlet reported.

Dunton’s attorney, Michael Ohle of Fort Pierce, declined to comment, TCPalm.com reported. An employee at The Surgery Center referred inquiries to corporate officials in Dallas, who on Friday did not respond to requests for comment, according to the news outlet.