WISCONSIN — A jail deputy with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was hospitalized after being exposed to fentanyl while booking a suspect, officials said Sunday.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Tuesday after a traffic stop led to an arrest for drug charges. Jose Fredy Rodriguez Acuna, 25, of Portage, was taken into custody and transported to the Columbia County Jail.
During the booking process, a deputy confiscated money from the suspect. Officials said when the deputy unfolded the bill, a “powdery substance” came off the bill and went “directly into the face of the deputy.”
The deputy then experienced a medical emergency and required immediate care. Authorities said Narcan was administered before the deputy was transported by EMS to a hospital. Officials said the deputy is expected to make a full recovery.
According to investigators, the substance on the bill later tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl.
Rodriguez Acuna appeared in court Thursday and faces charges of possession of narcotic drugs and possession of cocaine. Officials said his bond was set at $1,000, which was posted. He was later released to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as authorities said he was allegedly in the country illegally.
The incident remains under investigation.
