A Chester Township woman is facing felony charges after prosecutors say she stole fentanyl and other controlled drugs from the surgery center where she worked, and was later found with clinical pharmaceuticals in her car following a crash.
A Geauga County grand jury indicted 53-year-old Chandra L. Wozniak, accusing her of possessing between 1 and 5 grams of a fentanyl-related compound and of receiving property identified as a dangerous drug. An arrest warrant has been issued, and prosecutors say she will be arraigned in Geauga County Common Pleas Court once she is taken into custody. Detectives reportedly discovered pharmaceuticals typically used only in clinical settings inside her vehicle after a June crash on Wilson Mills Road.
What prosecutors allege
According to Cleveland.com, the indictment charges Wozniak with possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fourth-degree felony, and receiving stolen property identified as a dangerous drug, also a fourth-degree felony, along with an aggravated-possession count that is a fifth-degree felony. The indictment alleges she had between 1 and 5 grams of a fentanyl-related compound and that the stolen drugs came from the surgery center where she was employed. Investigators with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy assisted in the case, the outlet reports.
Drug diversion in medical settings
Cases like this fall under what regulators call drug diversion, where staff steal prescription medications from hospitals, clinics, or pharmacies. News 5 Cleveland reports that the Ohio Board of Pharmacy has logged roughly 480 reports of thefts or significant losses affecting about 230 pharmacies since 2022, and officials say diverted clinical drugs often surface later during criminal investigations.
Potential penalties
If Wozniak is convicted, the charges carry possible prison time under Ohio law. A fourth-degree felony can bring a definite prison term of six to 18 months, while a fifth-degree felony can result in six to 12 months, according to the Ohio Revised Code. Judges also consider a defendant's prior record and case-specific circumstances when deciding a sentence, as outlined in state statute.
Next steps
As reported by Cleveland.com, prosecutors say an arrest warrant has been issued for Wozniak. Once she is taken into custody, she is expected to appear in Geauga County Common Pleas Court for arraignment. Court filings and upcoming hearing dates are expected to be posted on the county docket as the case progresses.
