Smithtown man arrested for allegedly posing as medical professional, running illegal health clinic
Defendant allegedly illegally purchased steroids, injected patients
CENTRAL ISLIP, NY –U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan and Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini today announced the arrest of a Smithtown man for allegedly posing as a medical professional and illegally operating a health clinic, at which he allegedly illegally sold and injected patients with steroids.
Brian Michael Kaufman, 45, of Smithtown, is charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a D felony; three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a D felony; Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a D felony; two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, a D felony; two counts of Identity Theft in the Second Degree, an E felony; and Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, an E felony.
“This case is significant because it unearthed a convicted felon playing doctor who jeopardized his ‘patients’ lives,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan. “In order to safeguard our communities, law enforcement has to act fast when they see someone threatening public health and safety. In this case, Brian Kaufman’s alleged testosterone trafficking ring put people in harm’s way while committing several crimes.”
“This individual put lives in danger and posed a clear threat to public health by masquerading as a medical practitioner,” said District Attorney Sini. “He did not have patients; he had victims. We are asking those victims to please contact the District Attorney’s Office with any information they may have about Kaufman’s alleged scam.”
An investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the DEA’s Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad revealed evidence that from as early as August 2019 Kaufman was allegedly running a medical practice called Men’s Health of Smithtown, located at 329 E. Middle Country Road in Smithtown, despite his not having a medical license.
Kaufman allegedly purported to be a medical professional and would treat patients, including injecting them with testosterone. He also allegedly instructed employees of his clinic to perform injections or other medical procedures, such as drawing blood. Upon his arrest, Kaufman is alleged to have made statements to law enforcement admitting that he was not licensed to practice any medical profession and had no training to provide medical services or provide testosterone replacement therapy.
The investigation revealed that Kaufman allegedly ordered testosterone, a Schedule III controlled substance, by using the information of licensed physician assistants working at his office without their permission or authority.
Pursuant to the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Men’s Health Clinic on Feb. 19, which resulted in the recovery of unused syringes, blank prescription labels, various bottled prescriptions, and controlled substances in manufacturers’ containers.
The District Attorney’s Office is asking any individuals who received medical services from Kaufman or at Men’s Health of Smithtown to call the District Attorney’s Office at 631-853-8087.
Kaufman was arraigned yesterday by Suffolk County District Court Judge James Malone and was released with conditions of GPS monitoring, drug testing, and a travel restriction that he must stay within New York State. He is due back in court on March 24.
If convicted of the top count, Kaufman faces a minimum sentence of two to four years in prison and a maximum sentence of three and one-half to seven years in prison. As stated at his arraignment, he has previous convictions in New York State for Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree as well as two previous convictions in Florida for trafficking cocaine and trafficking illegal drugs.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michelle Kaszuba, of the Financial Investigations & Money Laundering Bureau.
The Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad comprises agents and officers of the DEA, Nassau County Police Department, Rockville Centre Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, Port Washington Police Department and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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