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Defendant Name, Crime, State Year
In a shocking verdict, a Texas doctor has been convicted of illegally prescribing highly addictive opioids. Leovares A. Mendez, a 58-year-old co-owner of Cumbre Medical Center, LLC in Dallas, was found guilty on all counts of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and six counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
The verdict came after an 8-day trial, during which the prosecution presented evidence of Mendez’s illicit prescription practices. According to court records, the defendants repeatedly issued prescriptions for controlled substances, including hydrocodone, alprazolam, and tramadol, to undercover agents posing as patients in exchange for $250 cash payments.
The undercover operations revealed a disturbing pattern of the defendants selling medically unjustified prescriptions. Video and audio recordings of the visits made by the undercover officers showed a pattern of the officers requesting the medications by name with no complaint of pain. On multiple occasions, Mendez coached the undercover officers as to what to say if ever contacted by law enforcement in relation to the illegal prescriptions.
Codefendant Cesar Pena-Rodriguez, 56, pleaded guilty on January 17, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2024. Mendez, on the other hand, faces up to 140 years in federal prison – 20 years per count.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donna Strittmatter Max, Marty Basu, and Renee Hunter prosecuting the case, along with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Gail Hayworth.
The conviction is a significant blow to the opioid epidemic plaguing the state of Texas. As the Grimy Times continues to investigate, we will provide updates on this developing story.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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