FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A woman learned her fate in a Fresno County Courtroom for stealing Fentanyl from her employer in 2019.
Thursday afternoon, former Fresno nurse Melissa Galvani was handcuffed in court and sentenced to 180 days in custody and 2 years probation.
The judge allowed her to split her time, with 90 days in jail and 90 days completing an adult offender work program.
Galvani’s attorney, Jack Revvill, was hoping for no jail time, describing Galvani as a changed woman.
“It’s been a very difficult time because I think she is an exceptional person. A person who worked really hard to overcome some early life difficulties that ultimately led to an addiction,” said Jack Revvill.
Galvani was a registered nurse and found guilty of stealing Fentanyl from her employer in 2019.
She was discovered after the director of nurses at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Medical Center in northeast Fresno was helping do a daily count of the controlled substances and realized vials were missing.
At the time, Galvani testified that she was using Fentanyl on the patients, then sneaking off and injecting herself with the leftovers.
WATCH: Killer High: The Silent Crisis
Revill says that Galvani knew she had a problem and was dealing with an emotional battle.
He asked her to take notes on her feelings and thoughts, sharing about the relief she felt when being arrested.
“You are going to be able to deal with your addiction because you haven’t been able to and that is something she thought about,” said Revvill.
In court, Revvill explained to the judge that Galvani put in the time and effort to better herself, including enrolling in a rehabilitation and recovery program.
“She was in a three-year treatment program. The first two years involved daily AA meetings, counseling and daily check-ins to see if there would be drug tests,” said Revvill.
Galvani’s nursing license was suspended, and she was currently working at the Poverello House full-time.
She is also facing the same charges for stealing Fentanyl from an employer in Madera County, also several years ago.
Revvill says sentencing in Madera will have to be pushed back.
For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Copyright © 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.