Long Island Pediatrician Sentenced To 30 Years’ Imprisonment For Sexual Exploitation Of Children

Earlier today, Rakesh K. Punn, a licensed medical doctor and pediatrician, was sentenced to thirty years’ incarceration, lifetime supervised release, and sex offender registration for sexual exploitation of children.  Today’s sentencing took place before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert.  

The sentence was announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

“Doctor Punn abused the trust of the community, parents, and his patients.  He betrayed his oath as a licensed physician to do no harm and instead victimized children for his own sexual purposes.”   Mr. Capers thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the Nassau County Police Department, and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (“CEOS”) and High Technology Investigative Unit for their joint investigation leading up to this case.

“Doctors swear an oath to do no harm, but this defendant perverted his job as a physician in the most despicable ways by drugging and then sexually abusing young girls while they were unconscious. Thanks to the efforts of our federal partners and Nassau prosecutors, this defendant will spend decades behind bars,” stated Acting DA Madeline Singas.           

Between September 6, 2007 and January 21, 2008, Punn sexually exploited three minor pediatric patients, under the guise of medical treatment, at his home-office in Bethpage, New York, and recorded the activities.  Punn lied about diagnoses for these children so he could have access to them without their parents being present, drugged them, and secretly photographed them.  Punn also submitted fraudulent insurance claims for the purported treatment of the three children and three other pediatric patients, when, in fact, the purported treatments had not been conducted for any medically accepted purpose, but rather, solely for the sexual gratification of the defendant.

Nassau County law enforcement authorities initially arrested Punn on July 15, 2010, and subsequently filed an indictment that charged Punn with multiple counts of violating New York State sexual abuse and fraud laws based on his conduct, which allegedly included recording sexually explicit activity involving his minor patients during their visits to his office.  On September 5, 2014, Punn pleaded guilty in Nassau County Court to two counts of criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance and one count of first-degree sexual abuse.  He awaits sentencing on those charges.  On January 4, 2012, a federal indictment was filed that charged Punn with sexual exploitation of children and health care fraud.  Punn has remained in custody since his initial arrest.   

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The government’s case was prosecuted by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Allen L. Bode and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Amy Larson are in charge of the case.

The Defendant:

RAKESH K. PUNN
Age:  57
Bethpage, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 12-CR-0011(JS)