EFFINGHAM, IL — A former Effingham dentist, Philip Jensen, has been charged by a Federal grand jury with allegedly tampering with drugs.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois said the grand jury indictment charges the 61-year-old Jensen with eight counts of drug diversion, eight counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, one count of tampering with consumer products, and three counts of false statements related to health care matters. Jensen made his initial court appearance on Monday and will be the subject of a detention hearing on Wednesday morning.

The indictment alleges that Jensen adulterated the fentanyl that was supposed to be used as anesthesia during his patients’ surgeries. Specifically, prior to surgery, Jensen pierced the fentanyl vials, removed half the fentanyl, and set it aside for his personal use. He then allegedly refilled the vials of fentanyl with another solution and administered the adulterated fentanyl, which was now at half its labeled strength, to his patients.

During one procedure, it is alleged Jensen administered the adulterated fentanyl to a patient, which resulted in serious bodily injury to the patient. The incidents allegedly occurred since 2019. Jensen’s license was suspended in 2011, leading to the closing of his Effingham office. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said at the time that the license suspension was due to substance abuse by Jensen.

Authorities say that Jensen could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for some of the offenses.