Nevada Pain Management Doctor Sentenced For Unlawful Distribution Of Controlled Substances

LAS VEGAS, Nev.  – Mahesh Kuthuru, M.D. was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to two years and four months in prison, three years of supervised release, and 50 hours of community work service for unlawfully writing prescriptions for oxycodone and other highly addictive prescription painkillers to persons who did not have a medical need for them, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.

Kuthuru, 47, of Henderson, pleaded guilty in October to one count of distribution of a controlled substance.  He is currently in federal custody serving a sentence for health care fraud and unlawful drug distribution imposed in the Northern District of New York.

“If you illegally and unlawfully use your medical license to divert pharmaceuticals you will be prosecuted, convicted, and sent to prison,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden.  “We continue to make the investigation and prosecution of medical professionals who are involved in illegal drug dealing a top priority in our office.”   

Kuthuru is a Nevada-licensed physician who operated Desert Pain Management in Las Vegas.  From July 6 to Nov.15, 2012, Kuthuru wrote prescriptions for Oxycodone, Percocet, MS Contin, Roxicodone and Methadone to undercover officers who posed as patients, and who did not have a medical necessity for the drugs.  During each visit, Dr. Kuthuru performed no or minimal physical exam, and failed to refer the patient to a specialist, physical therapist or other for further diagnosis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that since 1999, the amount of prescription painkillers prescribed and sold in the U.S. has nearly quadrupled, yet there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report. Every day, 44 people in the U.S. die from overdose of prescription painkillers, and many more become addicted.

The case was investigated by the Nevada High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (Nevada HIDTA) Pharm-Net Task Force, including the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Henderson Police Department, North Las Vegas Police Department, and the Nevada Division of Investigations.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Crane M. Pomerantz.