Bloomington Physician Charged with Fifteen Counts of Unlawful Dispensing and Distributing of a Controlled Substance

PEORIA, Ill. – A federal grand jury indicted a Bloomington, Illinois, doctor, Richard Sabbun, 61, on September 21, 2021, for allegedly unlawfully dispensing and distributing controlled substances from February 3, 2017 through February 6, 2020, in McLean County and elsewhere within the Central District of Illinois. The indictment was unsealed on October 28, 2021, during Sabbun’s initial appearance in federal court in Peoria, Illinois.

The indictment alleges that Sabbun was employed as an emergency room physician during the relevant time period. As part of his employment, Sabbun received a “DEA Number” that allowed him to write prescriptions for controlled substances. A valid prescription must be signed and issued by an authorized physician in the usual course of professional practice and for legitimate medical purpose. Each of the fifteen counts against Sabbun allege that he provided prescriptions for controlled substances that were outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

Sabbun was released on bond, and his next court appearance is set for December 15, 2021.

If convicted, the maximum statutory penalties for each count charged are up to 40 years of imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and four years of supervised release. Special assessments also apply.

Agencies participating in the investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas F. McMeyer is representing the government in the prosecution.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.