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A Doctor’s Descent into Opioid Chaos
Alexandria, VA – A 57-year-old obstetrician-gynecologist from Annandale has pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, marking the latest in a string of opioid-related crimes in the nation’s capital.
Lino Cueto Montilla, a licensed doctor since 1995, worked as an ob-gyn with Fairfax Ob-Gyn Associates from 1999 to 2015. However, it was during his tenure at Fairfax Pain Clinic (FPC) from January 2016 to September 2020 that he began prescribing ‘excessively high’ amounts of opioids to his patients.
According to court documents, Montilla would see approximately 20 patients during a three-hour period on weekdays, spending an average of less than 10 minutes with each patient. Despite conducting only cursory exams, Montilla prescribed high opioid dosing without confirming diagnoses, performing relevant medical examinations, or reviewing prior medical records.
The doctor’s questionable prescribing practices continued for years, with Montilla rarely ordering his patients to seek physical therapy or any other treatment for their chronic pain. His patient files were woefully underdocumented, with limited information on his reasons for prescribing high opioid dosages.
The case against Montilla was announced by U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber and FBI Special Agent David J. Scott. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack Morgan and Zoe Bedell are prosecuting the case. Montilla is scheduled to be sentenced on August 9 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
As the nation grapples with the opioid epidemic, this case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked prescribing practices and the devastating consequences for patients and communities.
Related court documents and information are available on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-72.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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