A Springfield, Ill., dentist is facing an indictment over allegations that he tampered with drugs administered to patients, according to a Feb. 7 Justice Department news release.
The indictment alleges that between December 2019 and August 2020, Phillip Jensen, DMD, adulterated vials of fentanyl that were supposed to be for dental procedures by removing half of the vials' contents, setting aside the removed fentanyl for personal use, and filling the vials back up with another solution before administering it to patients as anesthesia.
Dr. Jensen was charged with eight counts of drug diversion, eight counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, one count of tampering with consumer products, and three counts of false statements related to healthcare matters.
He had his initial appearance before a judge Feb. 7, during which he was ordered detained pending a detention hearing Feb. 9.
If convicted, Dr. Jensen faces a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment for drug diversion, up to four years of imprisonment for acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, up to 20 years of imprisonment for tampering with consumer products and up to five years of imprisonment for a false statement related to healthcare matters.