On Friday afternoon, a Dallas jury found Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz, Jr. guilty on all ten counts in the IV bag tampering case.
Following the verdict, new footage of Dr. Ortiz was released to the jury by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
After deliberating for about seven hours, the jury decided upon a guilty verdict. When the decision was read, Dr. Ortiz, who was wearing a mask, stood emotionless.
Prosecutors stated that Ortiz poked holes into IV bags, creating ‘poison bombs’ which exploded in those who were unaware of what he had done. This had occurred at Baylor Scott & White Surgicare North Dallas.
Newly released footage depicts Ortiz putting different drugs into long syringes and then placing the syringes in his pockets. The footage was captured the day prior to an 18-year-old receiving one of the contaminated IV bags. His doctor stated in court that he almost died on the operating table while getting a simple procedure done on his nose.
From May to August of 2022, 13 patients suffered similar cardiac occurrences. However, Ortiz only faced charges for causing serious bodily injury to four people in August. This is due to the fact that Ortiz could only be linked to four of the people. This is because those matters had been captured on camera footage. It was noted that the cameras had only been installed in May, following a burglary.
“Get to know your anesthesiologist. It’s an important question. They are the ones that keep you alive on the table while the surgeon is doing their business,” stated one doctor. His wife, who was also a doctor at the hospital, died after unknowingly administering an IV bag on herself while feeling ill.
It was mentioned in court that Ortiz wanted revenge after being disciplined by his employer.
It may be about 2 to 3 months for him to be federally sentenced.
Ortiz could receive life in prison.
