Christopher Robert Pattinson, Fentanyl Tampering, Colorado 2023

A former paramedic from Commerce City, Colorado has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for tampering with fentanyl intended for patient use.

Christopher Robert Pattinson, 41, was a Paramedic Field Lieutenant Supervisor at a Denver hospital when he stole approximately 1900 vials of fentanyl over a four-year period. In the last few months of his employment, Pattinson tampered with fentanyl vials intended for patient use by replacing the drug with a clear liquid believed to be saline.

The defendant concealed his theft by altering the hospital’s narcotics logs and making false entries in the hospital’s records. He then returned the tampered fentanyl vials to a locked narcotics supply cabinet and placed them in narcotics kits to be used on ambulances to respond to emergencies.

“We won’t tolerate medical professionals who put patients at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “Drug addiction is tragic, but it’s no excuse for harming patients – this conduct will send you to prison for a long time.”

“Health care professionals who tamper with patient medications not only harm patients but also put at risk the trust that U.S. consumers have in those who provide their medical care,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice health care professionals who tamper with patients’ medications.”

United States District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney sentenced Pattinson on April 19, 2023. After his period of incarceration, the defendant will also serve three years on supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to the hospital.

Substance abuse and mental health services are available to medical professionals experiencing addiction and other issues that may be detrimental to their ability to safely practice their profession. Nurses, dentists, psychologists, pharmacists, and other medical professionals can reach out to nonprofit agency Peer Assistance Services, Inc. (peerassistanceservices.org), and emergency medical professionals can contact nonprofit agency Path4EMS (path4ems.org).

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