Fountain Valley Clinic Worker Charged In Opioid Script Sale

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — A physician's assistant in a Fountain Valley clinic was arrested Tuesday for allegedly issuing prescriptions to street dealers for profit.

Raif Wadie Iskander, 53, of Ladera Ranch, was arrested at his south Orange County home, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

From October through April, Iskander allegedly wrote prescriptions for oxycodone to co-defendants Johnny Gilbert Alvarez, 39, of Santa Ana, and Adam Anton Roggero, 36, of Costa Mesa, who allegedly sold the drugs on the street, according to a federal indictment.

Iskander allegedly signed paper prescriptions and left the patient's name blank so the dealers could fill them in later, prosecutors contend.

One of the customers turned out to be an undercover agent, prosecutors said.

The three defendants are charged with conspiracy. Iskander is also charged with two counts of intentionally distributing oxycodone without a medical purpose.

Alvarez also faces felony charges of illegally distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl and oxycodone. Roggero is also charged with two felony counts of drug distribution.