Who is Barry Arnold? Long Island doc arrested for trading opioids and Xanax for sex
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: A Long Island dentist was arrested for allegedly trading painkillers for sex in a years-long scheme that preyed on drug-addicted women, federal authorities stated on Thursday, August 26. “Dr. Arnold took advantage of vulnerable, addicted women for his own benefit. He is ethically and legally responsible for every prescription, but he broke his oath with his alleged misconduct, and he is really no different than a street dealer,” Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge, Peter Fitzhugh, said in a statement.
Barry Arnold, 70, who is a dentist in Valley Stream, is accused of writing bogus prescriptions for Oxycodone, Percocet and Xanax in exchange for “sex acts” at his home and office between October 2016 and August 2020, according to multiple federal agencies.
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In total, Arnold has allegedly has faked over at least 28 illegal prescriptions for the highly addictive drugs to six women, none of whom were his patients, according to an indictment filed in federal court Tuesday, August 24. The alleged drug-dealing dentist was arrested on Wednesday, August 25 and will now face up to 20 years in prison, authorities said.
Jacquelyn Kasulis, acting US Attorney for the district, stated that Arnold helped fuel the opioid crisis that has ravaged parts of the Empire State. “Dr. Arnold abused his position as a dentist and preyed upon vulnerable, drug-addicted women,” she said. “We are committed to vigorous prosecution of medical professionals who abdicate their Hippocratic Oath and contribute to the rise of drug abuse and addiction in our communities.” Arnold was scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment Thursday evening.
“With a clear disregard for medical integrity, Dr. Arnold allegedly exchanged prescriptions for sex in his office and home. This investigation focused on a dentist abusing his position by proliferating drug abuse and endangering the lives and safety of several women,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan. “I commend the men and women at the DEA Long Island District Office Tactical Diversion Group, HSI, Suffolk County Police Department Human Trafficking Investigations Unit, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the US Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York for their expedient and diligent work on this investigation.”