PHILADELPHIA, PA —Mauricio Sarmiento, 35, of Ecuador, has been sentenced to one year of non-reporting probation along with a $500 fine and a $100 special assessment. The sentencing, handed down by United States District Court Judge John M. Gallagher on January 21, 2025, follows Sarmiento’s guilty plea to charges of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce.
Sarmiento, an unlicensed physician in the United States, was found to have provided medical care and prescription drugs in exchange for payment during repeated trips to the country since 2022. While practicing medicine without a license, he also imported misbranded drugs from Ecuador, including intravenous medications and other medical supplies. On September 10, 2024, law enforcement officers seized these items, as well as medical equipment such as a centrifuge used for plasma therapy, during an encounter with Sarmiento.
“Medical care and treatments are tightly regulated in this country, to keep people healthy and safe,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. “Sarmiento was well aware that he wasn’t licensed to practice here and that the drugs he dispensed were misbranded. This office and the FBI will continue to work on the public’s behalf to prosecute such medical malfeasance.”
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, emphasized the importance of safeguarding the healthcare system and protecting public safety. “The FBI is steadfast in its commitment to investigating fraud, safeguarding the integrity of our healthcare systems, and ensuring those who exploit them are held accountable,” he said.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John J. Boscia, was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Allentown Resident Agency. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to addressing illegal medical practices and upholding public trust in the nation’s healthcare regulations.
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