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Rochester Dentist Sentenced to Up to 78 Years for Stealing Fentanyl from Patients
A Rochester, Illinois dentist, Phillip M. Jensen, 63, pleaded guilty on August 2, 2024 to two counts of drug diversion, two counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, one count of tampering with consumer products resulting in serious bodily injury, and two counts of false statements relating to health care matters.
Sentencing for Jensen has been scheduled on December 4, 2024 at the U.S. Courthouse in Springfield, Illinois.
In court before U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless, Jensen admitted to having stolen fentanyl from his patients, which was supposed to have been used to manage their pain during surgery.
During the hearing, the government stated that Jensen owned and operated a dental practice in Springfield, Illinois, where he specialized in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He received payment for his professional services through both private and public health care benefit programs.
Starting as early as December 2019 and continuing through at least August 2020, Jensen took fentanyl he received, removed the safety caps, withdrew at least half of the fentanyl in the single-use vial, refilled the vial with saline, and glued the caps back on to hide what he had done.
The government stated that Jensen obtained more than 40 grams of fentanyl for his personal use through his fraud.
Jensen faces statutory penalties of up to 20 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for each count. Since Jensen may be ordered to serve the sentences consecutively, he faces a possible maximum sentence of 78 years in prison, up to a $1,750,000 fine, and up to 21 years of supervised release.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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