Doctor From Miami-Dade County Sentenced To Ten Years In Prison For Prescribing Medication Without Exams

On April 29th, 2024, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Osmin Morales—a doctor who owned and operated the Miami Pain Relief Institute—has been sentenced to serve ten years in federal prison for his role in a drug distribution scheme. Dr. Morales reportedly prescribed controlled substances without even conducting examinations in many cases. Below, our Orlando white collar defense attorney for doctors describes the case and the charges.

The Allegations: Doctor Operated Pill Mill in Miami, Florida 

Dr. Osmin Morales of Miami-Dade County, FL was alleged to have been involved in a significant pill mill operation. A pejorative term, a pill mill is a clinic or medical facility that prescribes or dispenses powerful narcotics inappropriately or for non-medical reasons. These operations typically focus on providing easy access to prescription drugs—like opioids—for profit.

It was claimed that he owned and managed a pain clinic in Broward County, Florida, where he and his associates were accused of illegally distributing prescription painkillers. The clinic reportedly dispensed vast quantities of opioids without legitimate medical purposes—functioning primarily as a source for addicts and dealers to obtain prescription drugs illicitly. 

The Sentence: Ten Years in Federal Prison 

In January of 2024, a jury in Miami-Dade County found Dr. Morales guilty of seven separate felony criminal counts. He was facing a maximum sentence of up to 140 years in prison—that being 20 years for each individual count. Dr. Morales has now been sentenced to serve ten years in federal prison. He was also ordered to pay financial restitution.

An Overview of Conspiracy to Unlawfully Distribute and Dispense Charges 

The South Florida doctor was convicted of engaging in a conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances. It is a serious felony criminal offense. The charge is particularly common in cases involving organized drug trafficking networks—including those operating so-called “pill mills” where prescription medications are distributed without legitimate medical purposes. Here are three points to know about the charge:

• Federal Charge: Conspiracy to unlawfully distribute/dispense if a federal crime. The federal jurisdiction allows for broad reach and it imposes very serious consequences.
• The Elements: The main elements of this charge include an agreement between two or more parties to distribute or dispense controlled substances illegally, knowledge of the illicit nature of the agreement, and at least one overt act taken in furtherance of the conspiracy.
• The Penalties: Penalties for this charge are severe and can include substantial fines and long-term imprisonment. A single count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances can carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison. 

Contact Our Orlando, FL White Collar Defense Lawyer for Doctors Today

At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando white collar criminal defense attorney is an experienced advocate for justice. Get in touch with us by phone or contact us online to arrange your completely confidential initial case assessment. With an office in Orlando, we provide solutions-focused criminal defense representation to medical professionals throughout Florida.

Source:

sun-sentinel.com/2024/04/29/south-florida-doctor-sentenced-to-10-years-for-prescribing-pain-pills-without-exams/