GARLAND, Texas — A Texas doctor was sentenced to seven years in prison in a pill mill scheme involving opioids, federal officials announced Wednesday.
Dr. Leovares Mendez, 59, Dr. Cesar Pena-Rodriguez, 56, and recruiter Jorge Hernandez, 35, were indicted in February 2020, according to federal officials. Mendez co-owns Cumbre Medical Center with Dr. Pena-Rodriguez.
Dr. Pena-Rodriguez and Hernandez pleaded guilty, but Dr. Mendez stood trial. He was convicted in February of one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and six counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances and sentenced Monday, officials say.
According to evidence presented at trial, Dr. Mendez and Dr. Pena-Rodriguez prescribed hydrocodone, alprazolam, and tramadol to “patients” including those brought to them by recruiter Jorge Hernandez.
They wrote the prescriptions for no legitimate medical purpose, without conducting medical exams, in return for cash payments of between $200 and $250, according to federal officials.
In video and audio recordings introduced into evidence, undercover officers posing as patients requested medications by name and received prescriptions despite never having complained of pain, according to a news release. The undercover officers received the illegal prescriptions on multiple visits that spanned almost two years, officials say. On multiple occasions, Dr. Mendez coached the undercover officers about what to say if ever contacted law enforcement, but urged them to keep a low profile so as not to attract the attention of investigators, according to a press release.
“This defendant wasn’t practicing medicine – he was dealing drugs, plain and simple,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “The vast majority of doctors prescribe opioids to ease suffering. But when medical professionals abuse their DEA registrations in ways that cause suffering, the Justice Department will bring the full force of the law to bear.”
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