Pittsfield Nurse Pleads Guilty to Stealing Fentanyl from Critical Care Patient

A Pittsfield woman has pleaded guilty to stealing fentanyl from a patient in the critical care unit at Berkshire Medical Center.

Jessica Lotto, 36, entered a patient’s room in February 2019 and used a syringe to steal the fentanyl being administered to the patient through an IV line.

Lotto later admitted to taking the drug from the patient, and was charged in November 2021 with one count of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, deceit or subterfuge.

The charge carries a sentence of up to four years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

Berkshire Medical Center has not commented on the incident, but the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced an investigation into the matter.

Lotto is scheduled to be sentenced on January 25, 2023, and faces up to four years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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