DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – A certified nurse anesthetist pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing fentanyl from patients at a Dubuque hospital. 53-year-old Benjamin Albert, of Round Lake, Illinois, pleaded guilty to three counts of acquiring fentanyl through fraud. Authorities say Albert drew extra fentanyl from the hospital pharmacy using patients’ names during each of the five days he worked there from January 13, 2022, to January 27, 2022. He administered fentanyl to 18 patients during that time.

Albert only administered a portion of the fentanyl to patients and kept the rest for personal use, according to court documents. Authorities say multiple patients experienced significant pain during surgery after Albert charted they had received the full dose.

Albert faces up to four years in prison for each count, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. He also agreed to surrender his Iowa nursing license.