Central DuPage Hospital worker from Huntley charged with stealing fentanyl
A former Central DuPage Hospital employee is free on $5,000 bail after being charged with stealing the painkiller fentanyl from the hospital.
Joshua Agruss, 33, of the 9000 block of Cummings St. in Huntley, is charged with unauthorized acquisition of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and two counts of burglary.
Fentanyl is a painkiller that can be 100 times more potent than morphine, and designer versions of the drug are even stronger.
Prosecutors allege that on multiple occasions in December 2014, Agruss, who worked as the emergency medical services continuing education specialist at Central DuPage, obtained fentanyl from an emergency department registered nurse to replace fentanyl administered to a patient by a paramedic, knowing that the paramedic did not actually provide fentanyl to the patient.
They say Agruss also obtained 400 micrograms of fentanyl from an emergency department registered nurse to replace fentanyl administered to a patient by a paramedic knowing that the paramedic actually provided only 200 micrograms fentanyl to the patient and not 400 micrograms.
A $50,000 warrant was issued for Agruss' arrest July 28. He turned himself in Saturday and posted bail.
"This case is a textbook example of law enforcement and other entities working together toward a common goal," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a prepared statement.
Winfield Police Chief Dave Schar called the 18-month investigation "long and complex."
Agruss' next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sept. 6 in courtroom 4014.