A University of Washington anesthesiology resident has been sentenced after federal authorities say he stole powerful narcotic pain medication while on duty and secretly swapped in saline for doses meant for patients, including children. Investigators say the alleged drug diversion endangered young patients and triggered a multi-agency review of controlled-substance handling at several Seattle hospitals. The DEA’s Seattle office announced on social media that the resident “was sentenced today.”
A @UWMedicine anesthesiology resident who stole narcotic pain medication and used it while on duty, replacing it with saline and putting young patients at risk, was sentenced today. #FentanylFree🇺🇸 Free @DEAHQ @WDWAnews >> https://t.co/ucYYnJ4bKO
— DEA Seattle (@DEASEATTLEDIV) Feb 3, 2026
Part of a National Fraud Crackdown
Federal prosecutors say the resident, identified in court filings as 35-year-old Andrew Voegel-Podadera, was charged in a criminal complaint tied to the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he is accused of diverting fentanyl, hydromorphone, and other controlled substances for his own use while working at Seattle Children’s Hospital, the University of Washington Medical Center, and Harborview Medical Center; the resident is accused of drug diversion.
Suspicious Syringes in the OR
According to the complaint and local reporting, concerns first flared on December 27, 2024, when an attending physician at Seattle Children’s noticed Voegel-Podadera drawing up what appeared to be more fentanyl than necessary. Tests on “waste” syringes returned that day reportedly showed they contained only saline instead of the opioid.
Seattle Children’s and UW Medicine say that once concerns were raised, staff immediately pulled the resident from patient care and placed him on leave, as reported by FOX 13 Seattle and other local outlets.
Federal Case and a Sparse Sentencing Record
The case appears on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington docket as CR25-141 KKE, with hearings set in early February. The DEA Seattle post on X said Dr. Voegel-Podadera “was sentenced today,” but as of publication, a formal judgment and detailed sentencing memorandum were not yet visible on the public docket or the U.S. Attorney’s website…