Dr. Henri Wetselaar, Prescription Opioid Distribution, Nevada 2017

Physician Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distribution of Prescription Opioids

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A Nevada physician practicing as a specialist in pain management was sentenced to 10 years in prison for distribution of large quantities of highly addictive prescription opioids, including oxycodone, and other controlled substances without a medical purpose.

Dr. Henri Wetselaar, 93, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances (oxycodone); distribution of controlled substances; money laundering; and structuring of money transactions after a 10-week jury trial on March 23, 2017.

According to the indictment, Wetselaar performed house calls and maintained a medical practice on the east side of Las Vegas. He prescribed large amounts of prescription drugs, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, Xanax and Soma, to persons for no legitimate medical purpose.

Dr. Wetselaar conspired with co-defendant David A. Litwin, 58, who was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances. Litwin is scheduled to be sentenced on September 5, 2017.

The case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Nevada Department of Public Safety, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Department of Labor-OIG, and the U.S. Human and Health Services-OIG.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cristina Silva and Andrew Duncan.

Dr. Wetselaar was ordered to pay a fine of $2.5 million in addition to his 10-year prison sentence.

This is the fifth doctor sentenced for illegal distribution of prescription opioids in recent years in the state of Nevada.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/physician-sentenced-10-years-prison-distribution-oxycodone