Orange County deputies exposed to fentanyl during arrest

3 deputies, suspect taken to hospital

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Three deputies were exposed to fentanyl while arresting a suspect Tuesday afternoon, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Joseph Villanueva, 24, of Vero Beach was charged with possession of fentanyl.

Deputies said a man was arrested on felony narcotics charges around 2:50 p.m. and while on the way to the jail, he started experiencing symptoms of an overdose so the deputy pulled over and waited for firefighters to arrive.

“Once our first rescue unit arrived on the scene, they determined there were additional patients, so they called for additional rescue units,” Mike Jachles with the Orange County Fire Rescue said.

The suspect was given Narcan, to which he responded positively, a news release said.

Records show three deputies who were at the scene started to feel the effects of a possible overdose after being exposed to fentanyl.

Officials said the three deputies and the suspect were taken to an area hospital as a precautionary measure. The Sheriff’s Office said the deputies are well and are being released from the hospital.


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