WILTON MANORS, Fla. – A Wilton Manors doctor and his medical assistant were arrested Wednesday by the DEA after a six-month investigation into him illegally distributing methamphetamine to his patients, prosecutors said.
Dr. Dominic Riganotti and Jacquelin Fernandez both face federal charges.
Prosecutors said Riganotti "offered to illegally distribute methamphetamine to his patients and dispensed prescriptions to his patients, without medical necessity, to use in combination with methamphetamine to further enhance the patient's altered state of mind," a news release said.
Fernandez is accused of illegally distributing prescription medication and sometimes using her underage daughter during the drug transactions.
A woman who identified herself as Fernandez's eldest daughter said federal agents stormed their home.
"I told her to quit that place a long time ago, because I didn't have a good feeling about the doctor's office," she said.
The woman said the patients were "crazy" and "aggravated" and were always giving them problems.
She said her mom told her two weeks ago about patients wanting more drugs.
As for her younger sister, also accused of taking part in the crime, authorities only would say that there's more to this case.
A federal search warrant was conducted last June at a pharmacy utilized by Riganotti. Prosecutors said authorities seized computerized records, documents, firearms and about $1.4 million in cash.
Riganotti will be charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and Fernandez will be charged with distribution of controlled pharmaceutical drugs. Prosecutors said they both face additional federal charges.