Washington, Jan 9 (NationPress) A physician from New Jersey has been indicted in a comprehensive 58-count federal indictment, accusing him of operating an opioid “pill mill,” trading prescriptions for sexual favors, and defrauding the state’s Medicaid program over multiple years, according to US prosecutors.

Ritesh Kalra, 52, residing in Secaucus City, New Jersey, was charged with offenses including unlawful distribution of opioids, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and health care fraud. Kalra, who specializes in internal medicine, made his initial court appearance this week in Newark federal court.

Previously, he faced charges via a criminal complaint in July 2025, and now, following a grand jury indictment, he confronts additional counts.

Federal investigators allege that from January 2019 to February 2025, Kalra regularly prescribed high-dose opioids without a valid medical reason. Prosecutors highlighted that he issued over 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone during this timeframe, including instances where he wrote more than 50 prescriptions in a single day.

According to court documents, Kalra operated a pill mill from his medical office, prescribing oxycodone and promethazine with codeine outside of standard professional practice. Several former employees informed investigators that female patients reported Kalra touched them inappropriately and demanded sexual favors in exchange for opioid prescriptions.

One patient alleged that Kalra sexually assaulted her multiple times, including instances of forced anal sex during clinical visits, as stated in court. Another individual reportedly continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra while incarcerated at the Essex County Correctional Facility, despite no contact with him.

“Doctors understand the destruction that opioid addiction can cause when left unchecked,” stated Stefanie Roddy, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI-Newark. “It is alleged that Dr. Kalra exploited his authority for financial benefit, fabricating fake appointments, and in some cases, soliciting sexual favors in return for prescriptions.”

Besides the allegations related to drug distribution, Kalra is also accused of defrauding the New Jersey Medicaid program by billing for non-existent office visits.

The 36 counts of opioid distribution each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The charge for maintaining a drug-involved premises could lead to a sentence of up to 20 years and a $500,000 fine. Each of the 21 health care fraud counts is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense.