Montco Doc Who Illegally Sold Opioids Sentenced To Prison: Feds

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — A Montgomery County doctor who sold opioids to patients who didn't need them has been sentenced to prison.

Richard Ira Mintz, 69, of Dresher, a doctor of osteopathy, was sentenced to one year and one day behind bars, as well as three years probation, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Wednesdya.

Mintz must also pay a $100,000 fine, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Baylson ruled.

Mintz had previously pleaded guilty in March 2019 to the charges. He was also stripped of his medical license and fined a separate $107,84 as part of a civil penalty in July 2019.

From about July 2016 through July 2018, Mintz worked at a medical practice in Philadelphia. There, he prescribed thirteen prescriptions of OxyContin (oxycodone) and Xanax (benzodiazepine) to patients in exchange for cash, authorities said.

Mintz wrote the prescriptions in the names of three individuals whom he had never met or examined, according to federal authorities.

“As our District is struggling under the weight of the opioid epidemic, this doctor used his prescription pad to harm rather than heal,” U.S. Attorney William McSwain said in a statement. “He saw an opportunity to make money off of those struggling with addiction and took advantage of the situation out of sheer greed.

As part of the civil resolution, Mintz had also agreed not to seek to renew or reinstate his medical license.