Dr. Roya Jafari-Hassad, a physician based in Great Neck, was sentenced to seven years in prison on March 2, 2026, after being convicted of prescribing oxycodone without legitimate medical purpose and submitting fraudulent insurance claims. The sentencing took place at the federal court in Central Islip before United States District Judge Gary R. Brown. In addition to the prison term, Dr. Jafari-Hassad received a $150,000 fine and was ordered to pay $152,765 in restitution.
The case was announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino III of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Northeast Region; and Naomi Gruchacz from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s Office of Investigations for the New York Region.
“Dr. Jafari-Hassad used her medical practice to deal drugs, a disgraceful betrayal of her doctor’s oath to do no harm,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s sentence holds her accountable for capitalizing on her patients’ dangerous opioid addictions to enrich herself. A jail term and serious financial penalties should serve as a warning to other healthcare professionals, that when they unlawfully prioritize profit over patient well-being, they will be brought to justice.”
Nocella also acknowledged assistance from the Suffolk County Police Department during the investigation.
“Today’s sentencing is a significant step for the DEA and our law enforcement partners pursuit of those health care professionals who exacerbate the ongoing healthcare crisis by prescribing dangerous and addictive opioids just for profit,” said DEA Associate Chief of Operations Tarentino. “Dr Jafari-Hassad knew the harmful effects opioids could have on her patients and yet she chose to jeopardize their health by turning her medical office into a modern-day pill mill.”
“The illegal prescribing practices for which this doctor was convicted and sentenced were especially egregious and contributed to fueling the opioid epidemic,” said HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Gruchacz. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure health care providers involved in schemes that threaten patient safety are held accountable.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that between January 2019 and May 2022, Dr. Jafari-Hassad operated offices in Great Neck, Forest Hills (Queens), and Manhattan where she charged patients cash payments—sometimes without appointments—in exchange for monthly oxycodone prescriptions without valid medical justification. She also submitted false claims to Medicare and private insurers for services not rendered.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles P. Kelly and Katherine Onyshko from the Criminal Section of the Long Island Division with support from Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroder and Victim-Witness Specialist Stephanie Marroquin.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York prosecutes federal crimes across Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County while representing civil matters within its jurisdiction (official website). Its main offices are located in Brooklyn and Central Islip (official website). The office supports community outreach initiatives as well as victim assistance programs (official website).
ROYA JAFARI-HASSAD
Age: 59
Bayside, New York
E.D.N.Y Docket No.: 22-CR-545 (S-2) (GRB)
