An Illinois dentist, Phillip M. Jensen, 64, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined $200,000 after admitting to stealing pain medication from his patients and tampering with drugs used during surgical procedures.
The sentencing took place on December 18 in the U.S. District Court in Central Illinois, where several of his victims confronted him... Continue reading here ▶
Jensen admitted to stealing fentanyl, a powerful painkiller, meant for his patients. Instead of administering the full dose, he diluted the medication with saline to make it appear as though it was intact. He then resealed the vials and falsified medical records to hide his actions.
Examples of Harm
The situation came to light in December 2019 when staff at his Springfield dental practice noticed patients showing signs of pain and distress during surgeries. Over 99 patients were identified as having suffered due to his actions.
During the sentencing, heartbreaking stories were shared. A mother recounted how her child cried after surgery, saying they “felt everything.” In another case, a patient started waking up during a painful procedure.
Instead of stopping, Jensen struck the patient with a surgical instrument and continued performing multiple tooth extractions and jawbone shaping without proper pain management.
Jensen’s History of Drug Abuse
Prosecutors revealed Jensen had a long history of drug addiction and had previously attempted rehabilitation. Despite this, he used his position as a dentist to access drugs meant for legitimate medical use, profiting from his crimes while denying patients the care they needed.
Legal Consequences
Jensen was indicted in 2022 and had his medical license suspended the same year. He faced 20 felony charges and was initially released on bond. However, in July 2024, U.S. Marshals detained him after he allegedly stalked and harassed a potential witness.
In August 2024, Jensen pleaded guilty to several charges, including drug diversion, acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, tampering with consumer products, and making false statements about health care matters.
Final Ruling
In addition to his 15-year prison sentence and $200,000 fine, Jensen was ordered to repay the government for the cost of an expert witness. U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless emphasized that Jensen not only harmed his patients but also covered up his actions for personal gain.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of abusing trust in the medical profession.
