Kacye Unruh, age 30, of Aurora, Colorado, is behind bars on federal charges for allegedly stealing and tampering with vials of fentanyl and hydromorphone at University of Colorado Hospital. The former nurse was arrested yesterday after a grand jury returned a 14-count indictment accusing her of replacing life-threatening painkillers with unapproved substances — risking patient safety with deliberate, reckless conduct.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA OCI), Unruh engaged in a calculated scheme between June 29 and July 12, 2016, to siphon off Schedule II controlled substances from the hospital’s dialysis unit. She allegedly refilled the vials with materials other than sterile saline to mask her theft — a move that could have led to overdose, contamination, or complete treatment failure for unsuspecting patients.
The indictment charges Unruh with 14 counts of Tampering with a Consumer Product, each carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. She also faces 14 counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Deceit or Subterfuge, punishable by up to 4 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count. On top of that, Unruh is accused of making four separate false statements to federal agents during the investigation.
Two of the false statements relate to her prior employment at a medical facility in Oklahoma. When questioned, Unruh denied diverting drugs and claimed she never failed a drug test — both lies, according to investigators. She also allegedly lied about the substance used to refill the vials, saying it was sterile saline when it was not, and denied cross-contaminating materials despite evidence to the contrary.
Unruh made her initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge today, where she was informed of the charges and her rights. She remains in federal custody pending an arraignment and detention hearing scheduled for November 9, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. If convicted on all counts, she could face decades behind bars and millions in fines.
The case was investigated by the FDA OCI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Pena. The charges are allegations; Kacye Unruh is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking