Cheshire Nurse Sentenced to Time Served for Drug Distribution

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut — U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden sentenced Michele Rene Muzyka, a 61-year-old nurse from Cheshire, to one day of imprisonment with time already served for illegally distributing controlled substances, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release dated April 30, 2026.

The case affects Muzyka directly as the sole defendant named in the sentencing, with no additional individuals or entities mentioned in the Justice Department release. The illegal distribution involved controlled substances, which under federal law include prescription drugs regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration to prevent misuse and diversion.

Muzyka's role as a nurse implies access to such substances through healthcare settings, though the release provides no specifics on quantities distributed or patients impacted.

Prior to sentencing, Muzyka faced charges for the illegal distribution, leading to her guilty plea or conviction that resulted in this outcome, per the Justice Department announcement. The new state imposes immediate penalties: the one-day imprisonment counts as fulfilled, but supervised release begins now for three years, alongside the $25,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.

These terms took effect on April 30, 2026, the date of the sentencing hearing.

The sentencing triggers federal probation oversight, requiring Muzyka to comply with conditions set by the U.S. Probation Office during her three-year term, which could include regular reporting and restrictions on employment in healthcare roles involving controlled substances.

The $25,000 fine directs funds to the U.S. Treasury, contributing to federal revenues used for enforcement activities. Community service mandates 100 hours of unpaid work, potentially in local programs, with completion tracked by probation authorities to ensure adherence by the end of supervision.

This case follows a pattern of Justice Department prosecutions against healthcare professionals for drug diversion, with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut handling similar matters in recent years. The sentencing aligns with broader federal efforts to address opioid misuse, as outlined in ongoing DEA initiatives to regulate controlled substance prescriptions.