Sex for Scripts
South Carolina Doctor Sentenced for Illegally Prescribing Oxycodone in ‘Sex for Scripts’ Scheme
By James Seidel, Crime and Cask News Network
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A Florence doctor has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for a Sex for Scripts scheme of illegally prescribing Oxycodone in a case that prosecutors say involved coercion and abuse of medical authority.
David Carlos Rodriguez Jr., 50, of Florence, pleaded guilty to distributing Oxycodone outside the scope of medical practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina announced Wednesday.
Pattern of Abuse
Rodriguez, a practicing doctor in Lake City, prescribed more than 600 Oxycodone pills to a single patient between May 2018 and January 2019. According to court records, the patient felt pressured to engage in sexual activity in order to obtain the prescriptions.
Federal prosecutors detailed that Rodriguez wrote 15 separate prescriptions for the patient over the eight-month period, despite clear indications of illicit drug use.
At the patient’s first appointment, Rodriguez failed to inquire about her medical history, pain level, or current medications, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The patient later sought substance abuse treatment in summer 2018 and was prescribed Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid dependence. Despite knowing this, Rodriguez continued prescribing Oxycodone, violating standard medical practice and increasing the risk of overdose.
Egregious Conduct Documented
When a pharmacist refused to fill an Oxycodone prescription due to the patient’s Suboxone treatment, Rodriguez responded by sending the prescription to another pharmacy the next day.
In fall 2018, the patient recorded two separate medical appointments with Rodriguez, capturing him hugging, kissing, and fondling her in ways unrelated to medical care, according to federal prosecutors.
At one point, Rodriguez requested the patient send him pictures of various body parts before refilling another Oxycodone prescription, according to court documents.
Justice Served
“Medical providers should be a place of safety and healing, not criminal exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “This sentence underscores our commitment to prosecuting those who abuse the vulnerable regardless of their profession.”
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, added, “DEA investigators did remarkable work in uncovering this doctor’s unlawful acts. The DEA will continue to aggressively pursue healthcare providers who distribute outside the scope of medical practice and without a medical purpose.”
Sentencing Details
United States District Judge Joseph Dawson III sentenced Rodriguez to 57 months (nearly five years) in federal prison, followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Flynn and Lauren Hummel prosecuted the case.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty in August 2024, marking the conclusion of a federal investigation into corrupt medical practices and illicit opioid distribution.
Stay tuned to Crime and Cask News Network for continued coverage of major legal cases in South Carolina.
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