Doctor from Coal Center charged with trading drugs for sex
A family doctor with a practice in Perryopolis was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for allegedly giving drugs to a patient in return for sexual favors.
Emilio Ramon Navarro, 58, of Coal Center, is facing charges of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances and health care fraud. A 29-count indictment was returned Thursday and unsealed Monday, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced.
Between April 2018 and April 2019, Navarro allegedly unlawfully distributed Oxymorphone and Oxycodone to a person in exchange for sexual favors, either in person or by electronic communications. He also allegedly filed fraudulent insurance claims to Medicaid to cover the cost of unlawfully prescribed controlled substances.
He was arrested Monday and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Patricia Dodge. Navarro pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. The government is asking Navarro be jailed pending trial.
A judge issued a temporary commitment order, holding Navarro in federal custody until his detention hearing.
Federal prosecutors contended Navarro was a danger to the community, according to court paperwork. Prosecutors also argued no condition or combination of conditions would assure his appearance in court because he is accused of a drug-related crime punishable by 10 years in prison or more.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both, for the drug charges. If convicted of health care fraud, he could face up to 10 additional years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Navarro is a licensed physician. He also has practices listed online in Greensburg and Mount Pleasant.