Two New York men have been charged in a complex scheme involving HIV medication fraud and identity theft. According to a statement released by federal prosecutors, the defendants, Josue Torres and Anthony Guerra, are suspected of using e-prescribing platforms to issue fake prescriptions for expensive pharmaceuticals using stolen doctor and patient identities. According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, both were arrested on June 17 and have subsequently appeared before a magistrate court.
The charges against the accused emphasize areas of healthcare fraud in which life-saving drugs are allegedly utilized for illegal reasons. “By feeding the black market for prescription medications, the defendants’ alleged crimes jeopardized patient safety and undermined the integrity of our health-care system,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated in a press release. The two men allegedly used copay assistance programs to reduce out-of-pocket payments, then made a large profit by reselling these pharmaceuticals on the illicit market. An intricate four-year scheme involving around 693 false prescriptions issued under the identities of 18 targeted medical practitioners.
The scheme has serious consequences because it not only deceived pharmacies and insurance, but it may also endanger patients’ health by diverting crucial prescriptions. The FBI has emphasized the gravity of such fraudulent activity, with Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia saying, “These defendants allegedly exploited private medical information of both practitioners and patients to perpetuate this elaborate scheme,” in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The complaint details instances in which Torres used unlawful e-prescribing systems to write fake prescriptions, which were then picked up at pharmacies or mailed to numerous places. This enterprise accumulated drugs worth around $2.6 million.
The announcement by the Department of Justice is part of a larger enforcement effort aimed at reducing healthcare fraud and illegal drug diversion on a national scale. As part of this coordinated investigation, 324 people were indicted in schemes involving approximately $14.6 billion in bogus billings. In connection with this endeavor, officials seized up to $245 million in cash and luxury assets, indicating a concerted attempt to disrupt networks that operate in the currency of deception and exploitation. Luxury automobiles and cash were among the assets seized. Torres and Guerra, if convicted, may face significant prison terms—one count can result in up to 20 years.
As with other judicial proceedings in the United States, the allegations set out are only accusations, and the defendants have the right to be assumed innocent unless proven guilty. The case is now supervised by the Office’s General Crimes Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Ross in charge of the prosecution.