An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Central Islip charging Dr. Barry Arnold, a practicing dentist with an office in Valley Stream, New York, with writing illegal prescriptions to women for oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, and alprazolam (“Xanax”), a Schedule IV controlled substance, in exchange for sex acts. Arnold was arrested yesterday and will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks.
Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ray Donovan, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), and Stuart Cameron, Acting Police Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the arrest and indictment.
“As alleged, Dr. Arnold abused his position as a dentist and preyed upon vulnerable, drug-addicted women, trading prescriptions for sex acts,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Kasulis. “We are committed to vigorous prosecution of medical professionals who abdicate their Hippocratic Oath and contribute to the rise of drug abuse and addiction in our communities."
“With a clear disregard for medical integrity, Dr. Arnold allegedly exchanged prescriptions for sex in his office and home. This investigation focused on a dentist abusing his position by proliferating drug abuse and endangering the lives and safety of several women,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Donovan. “I commend the men and women at the DEA Long Island District Office Tactical Diversion Group, HSI, Suffolk County Police Department Human Trafficking Investigations Unit, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the US Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York for their expedient and diligent work on this investigation.”
“It’s alleged that Dr. Arnold took advantage of vulnerable, addicted women for his own benefit. He is ethically and legally responsible for every prescription, but he broke his oath with his alleged misconduct, and he is really no different than a street dealer,” stated HSI Special Agent in Charge Fitzhugh. “HSI’s continued partnership with the DEA will ensure that drug-dealing dentists are arrested for their criminal acts.”
“During the course of close to four years, Dr. Arnold used his ability to write prescriptions to take advantage of those struggling with addiction for his own personal indulgences,” stated Acting SCPD Commissioner Cameron. “While this doctor should have held himself to a higher standard, our officers on the DEA’S Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad will continue to hold those in medical practice accountable for illegal actions and I would like to commend the Eastern District of New York for making a difference in the opioid epidemic.”
As set forth in court filings, between October 2016 and August 2020, Dr. Arnold allegedly prescribed oxycodone, Percocet and Xanax to numerous drug-addicted victims in exchange for sex acts. The sex acts occurred after business hours at his former dental office in Lynbrook and current office in Valley Stream. Arnold also prescribed controlled substances in exchange for sex acts at his home in Williston Park. The victims were not Arnold’s dental patients and the prescriptions were not for legitimate medical purposes.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Dr. Arnold faces up to 20 years in prison.
The government’s investigation was led by the DEA’s Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad, which is comprised of agents and officers of the DEA, SCPD, Nassau County Police Department, HHS-OIG and Port Washington Police Department In addition, HSI, SCPD Human Trafficking Investigations Unit and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation of the case.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Bushwack is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
DR. BARRY ARNOLD
Age: 70
Willison Park, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-436 (GRB)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment