In a chilling turn of events, Dallas anesthesiologist Raynaldo Rivera Ortiz Jr. was convicted Friday of injecting lethal substances into IV bags at a local surgical center, resulting in the death of a colleague and triggering multiple cardiac emergencies among patients. This alarming incident was revealed by federal prosecutors following a decisive jury verdict.

Ortiz, 60, faced multiple charges after a meticulously detailed trial that captured the severity of his actions. He was found guilty of four counts of tampering with consumer products leading to serious bodily injury, one count of product tampering, and five counts of intentional drug adulteration. The ramifications of his actions could land him up to 190 years in prison, with his sentencing yet to be scheduled.

“Dr. Ortiz, who masqueraded as a caregiver, inflicted unimaginable pain instead of providing relief,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton of the Northern District of Texas in a poignant video statement.

The prosecution detailed that from May to August 2022, numerous patients at Surgicare North Dallas experienced sudden and unexplained cardiac emergencies during routine procedures. These incidents coincided with the tragic death of an anesthesiologist from the same facility, who died under similar circumstances after self-administering an IV for dehydration.

Investigators linked the emergencies to tainted IV bags placed by Ortiz in a warming bin, intending for them to be used unknowingly by his colleagues. This sinister act was seemingly a response to his impending disciplinary actions over previous medical errors.

The trial exposed the depth of the horror as evidence showed Ortiz’s calculated endangerment of patients’ lives. Surveillance footage captured him tampering with the IV bags, while testimonies from doctors described the sudden, severe medical crises their patients suffered. Victims recounted waking up in intensive care, bewildered and terrified, illustrating the dire consequences of Ortiz’s actions.

This case, prosecuted by a dedicated team from the Justice Department and the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, underscores the critical importance of safeguarding medical products and the severe penalties for those who jeopardize patient safety.