A Dallas anesthesiologist, Raynaldo Riviera Ortiz Jr., 60, was sentenced to 190 years in prison on November 19, 2024, for tampering with IV bags, leading to the death of a colleague and multiple cardiac emergencies. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Leigha Simonton, announced the sentencing following Ortiz’s conviction on charges including tampering with consumer products resulting in serious bodily injury, and intentional adulteration of drugs.
The case stems from incidents between May and August 2022, where patients at Surgicare North Dallas experienced unexplained cardiac issues during routine surgeries. A month after the first emergencies, an anesthesiologist died after using a tainted IV bag for hydration. Further investigation revealed that Ortiz had injected dangerous drugs, including bupivacaine, epinephrine, and lidocaine, into saline IV bags that were used in surgeries, causing severe complications in several patients.
Surveillance video showed Ortiz repeatedly tampering with the IV bags and watching as patients suffered complications. The case also revealed that Ortiz was facing disciplinary action for a prior medical mistake and may have been at risk of losing his medical license. During sentencing, victims and their families shared their emotional testimonies about the pain and trauma caused by Ortiz’s actions.
“This disgraced doctor acted no better than an armed assailant spraying bullets indiscriminately into a crowd. Dr. Ortiz tampered with random IV bags, essentially attacking unconscious patients,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “On at least nine separate occasions, he essentially attacked unconscious patients lying on an operating table, and even killed a colleague. I am so proud of our office’s work in bringing Dr. Ortiz to justice and bringing a measure of solace to his victims and their families.”
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, stated, “The defendant betrayed the trust of patients by tampering with critical medical supplies, and the result was death and serious bodily injury. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of these offenses and should make clear that the Department will work tirelessly to investigate and prosecute anyone who endangers patients by tampering with drugs.”
“Patients expect that their doctors will use only safe and effective medical products during their surgeries. The illicit tampering in this case demonstrated a gross disregard for patient safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations. “This investigation uncovered that adulterating the IV bags caused serious adverse health consequences. This sentencing is a clear demonstration that FDA will not stop pursuing and bringing to justice those who risk patients’ health and safety through their criminal actions.”
Ortiz was convicted in April following an eight-day trial. The investigation, led by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations with support from the Dallas Police Department, uncovered the scope of Ortiz’s criminal activities and the resulting harm to his victims.
The investigation continues under case number 2022-12345.
