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Anesthesiologist Gets 100 Months for Narcotics Abuse
Anesthesiologist Jaime Guerrero, 48, of Kentuckiana, Kentucky, was sentenced to 100 months in prison for his role in the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, including the prescription opioid hydrocodone without a legitimate medical purpose and related crimes, announced U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn Jr for the Western District of Kentucky.
According to the terms of a prior plea agreement, Guerrero agreed to forfeit his license to practice medicine and real property owned by Guerrero Real Estate Investments LLC. Further, Guerrero agreed to pay $827,000 in victim restitution to nine health care benefit programs.
Guerrero, formerly a medical physician with offices in Louisville and Jeffersonville, Indiana, pleaded guilty to 31 counts of a 35 count Superseding Indictment on Jan. 7, including unlawful distribution or dispensing of controlled substances, health care fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.
“The prescribing practices of a very few physicians in Kentucky have caused immeasurable harm,” said U.S. Attorney Kuhn. “Reckless prescribing encourages abuse, creates addicts and builds the foundation for the scourge of heroin that so many pill addicts turn to. The personal and social costs are no less than tragic. My office will aggressively prosecute doctors like Dr. Guerrero who prescribe narcotics without a legitimate medical purpose. We will seek justice and accountability for the harm they do.”
“Doctors take an oath to ‘first, do no harm,’” said Special Agent in Charge Howard Marshall for the FBI’s Louisville Division. “Dr. Guerrero violated that oath and today’s sentence is a solemn reminder that the cost of health care fraud is not one just paid in money. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously investigating those who seek to enrich themselves and threaten the public’s safety through fraudulent health care schemes.”
“This doctor was operating as a drug dealer in a white coat,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General in Atlanta. “This sentence should be a wake-up call to physicians across the state: if you’re overprescribing narcotics you are facing a lengthy prison sentence.”
Guerrero’s crimes occurred from Nov. 1, 2009, continuing through Jan. 1, 2013, and from Nov. 1, 2009, through May 8, 2014. During this time, Guerrero conspired with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute and dispense, Schedule II and III controlled substances to patients without a legitimate medical purpose and beyond the bounds of professional medical practice.
The case is a reminder of the dangers of prescription drugs and the importance of holding accountable those who abuse their positions of trust. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
As a result of Guerrero’s crimes, nine health care benefit programs will receive $827,000 in restitution. This is a significant step towards holding Guerrero accountable for the harm he caused and recovering funds for those who were victimized by his actions.
Guerrero’s sentence is a warning to other healthcare professionals who may be tempted to engage in similar behavior. It is a reminder that the law will be enforced and that those who abuse their positions of trust will be held accountable.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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