Related Federal Cases
- Letitia James, Unlawful Education Funding Freeze, New York NY, 2023 · Kentucky
- Letitia James, Unlawful Deployment of National Guard, New York 2023 · New York
- Letitia James, DOE Funding Cap Unlawful, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Letitia James Co-Leads Bipartisan Push Against Youth Substance Abus… · Texas
- Orlando Harvey Pleads Guilty to Statutory Rape, New Mexico, 2014 · New Mexico
Las Cruces Psychiatrist Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Opioid Prescriptions
Las Cruces, New Mexico – Mark Beale, 75, a licensed psychiatrist from Las Cruces, pleaded guilty to unlawful dispensing and distributing of a schedule II controlled substance in federal court on March 25.
According to a plea agreement and court records, Beale issued prescriptions outside the course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. From July 8, 2016, through April 5, 2019, Beale treated patients, including Jane Doe, in psychiatry. Beale admitted that he conducted only cursory exams, rather than complete medical, physical, or psychiatric evaluations, and made no attempt to document Jane Doe’s medical history.
Beale failed to document many of the prescriptions he prescribed in Jane Doe’s clinical record, which included insufficient clinical evidence to support the diagnoses he made, and the prescriptions he wrote for her were not supported by the listed diagnoses. He also acknowledged that he failed to conduct adequate clinical monitoring, such as urine drug screening and prescription monitoring inquiries.
Despite a diagnosis of opioid abuse, Beale did not treat the issue or refer Jane Doe for appropriate care. Instead, he continued to prescribe opioids. Beale further acknowledged that he chronically prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines, which put Jane Doe at unacceptable risk of addiction, diversion, or overdose.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad investigated the case with assistance from the Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Task Force, the Las Cruces Police Department, and the El Paso Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Joni Autrey Stahl and Richard C. Williams are prosecuting the case.
Beale faces five years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, under the terms of the plea agreement.
This case highlights the importance of proper medical practice and the dangers of opioid abuse. It also demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
