A former dental surgical assistant from Evergreen, Colorado, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to tampering with a consumer product. Amber June Hyatt, 47, was employed at an oral surgery practice in Littleton when the incident occurred in June 2023.
According to court documents, Hyatt’s roommate discovered several fentanyl vials and safety caps in a plastic bag inside Hyatt’s purse at their home. The roommate notified the oral surgery practice, which then reported a possible theft to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. An investigation revealed that boxes of fentanyl citrate stored in the practice’s controlled substance safe had been tampered with. Laboratory testing showed that seven of the vials contained a replacement liquid, and one vial was contaminated with bacteria.
United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly stated: “Unsuspecting patients are put at serious risk when crimes like this are committed in healthcare practices. Would-be fentanyl thieves should take note that this behavior gets you a ticket to federal prison.”
George Taylor, Diversion Program Manager for the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division, commented: “Medical professionals must serve as a bulwark against prescription drug abuse. When surgical assistants violate the trust of the physicians they work for and the patients they serve, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its state and local partners along with the United States Attorney’s Office will step in and use every tool available to protect the public. DEA will relentlessly pursue those who divert controlled substances and hold them accountable. There is no excuse for medical professionals to break the law in pursuit of their own gratification.”
Acting Special Agent In Charge Jonathan Lamb from the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations said: “People depend on their healthcare providers to provide safe and effective medication when needed for pain relief. The FDA will continue to hold accountable anyone who violates this trust by tampering with patients’ medication and compromising their care.”
The sentencing was overseen by United States District Judge S. Kato Crews. The case was investigated by both the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food & Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Anna Edgar prosecuted the case.
Case Number: 1-25-cr-00092-SKC
