An Elko cardiologist was arrested Tuesday on 39 charges of unlawful distribution of prescription opioids and Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
The announcement was made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other federal officials in Nevada.
Dr. Devendra I. Patel, aka Devendrakumar I. Patel, of Elko, is charged with 36-counts of distribution of controlled substances such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, and three counts of health care fraud.
Patel is a cardiologist at Northeastern Nevada Cardiology. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on Wednesday in Reno.
According to the indictment that was unsealed Tuesday, it is alleged that, from May 2014 to September 2017, Patel routinely prescribed fentanyl, hydrocodone, and oxycodone for his patients without a legitimate medical purpose.
