ORLANDO, Fla. – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced today that Nhan Pham, 54, of Orlando, has pleaded guilty to one count of receipt in interstate commerce and proffered delivery of an adulterated device, violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Pham faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, between 2015 and 2019, Pham, a physician performing cosmetic procedures, purchased silicone oil online and subsequently injected it into patients for gluteal and buttock enhancement at his office and residence.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved injectable silicone for body contouring or enhancement and has explicitly warned the public about the illegality and significant health risks associated with such injections.
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Evidence presented in the plea agreement revealed that Pham misrepresented the injected substance to his patients, falsely claiming it was “safe,” “natural,” and would dissolve over time. Contrary to these assurances, patients who received the silicone oil injections experienced a range of severe complications, including sharp and intense pain, persistent discomfort, discoloration, itchiness, burning sensations, inflammation, soreness, and hardness at the injection sites.
The investigation further revealed that on September 24, 2019, Pham offered to administer silicone oil injections to an undercover law enforcement agent, demonstrating his continued disregard for patient safety and legal regulations.
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This case resulted from a collaborative investigation conducted by the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations and the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu is prosecuting the case.
Pham’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 14, 2025. This guilty plea serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences individuals face when they disregard FDA regulations and endanger the health and well-being of patients by using unapproved and potentially harmful substances.
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