Cheshire Nurse Pleads Guilty In Connection With Selling Prescription Drugs In Fraud Scheme: Feds

CHESHIRE, CT — A Cheshire nurse has pleaded guilty to a federal charge in connection with selling prescription drugs in a fraud scheme, according to officials.

Michele Rene Muzyka, 61, of Cheshire, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty on Jan. 21 before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to an offense related to her illegal distribution of controlled substances, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut David X. Sullivan announced.

Prosecutors said from approximately January 2024 and June 2025, Muzyka, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), unlawfully “distributed amphetamines and benzodiazepines to individuals who did not have a legitimate medical need,” according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Connecticut.

“During office visits, Muzyka did not conduct medical examinations of certain patients and did not confirm conditions that would medically require treatment using these controlled substances,” officials wrote in the news release. “Muzyka charged patients $200 in cash for the office visits in which she prescribed Schedule II and IV controlled substances, including to an undercover agent who posed as a Medicaid beneficiary.

“Although she was enrolled as a Medicare and Medicaid provider, Muzyka declined to accept the undercover agent’s Medicaid plan and instead charged her $200 cash fee. Medicaid paid $287.58 for the unlawful prescriptions written for the undercover agent.”

Muzyka was arrested on June 23, 2025.

Muzyka pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, distribution of, and dispensing of controlled substances, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

She was released on a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30, according to officials.