Dr. David Antonio Becerril of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was sentenced on July 8 by Chief District Court Judge Stanley A. Bastian to 40 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,250,667.19 in restitution for his involvement in a nationwide telemarketing conspiracy to defraud Medicare.
Becerril, age 70, was convicted after a jury trial in September 2025 on 16 felony counts including conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, as well as multiple counts of health care fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements relating to health care matters. The court also ordered forfeiture of $37,340—the amount Becerril directly profited from the fraudulent scheme.
Evidence presented at trial showed that between February 2018 and September 2019, Becerril participated in a scheme with Real Time Physicians LLC by signing false orders for genetic tests and medical braces for elderly Medicare beneficiaries he had never seen or spoken with. Some prescriptions were issued for deceased patients or individuals missing limbs needed for the prescribed braces. On average, Becerril reviewed each prescription for only 26 seconds before signing them; he received $20 per prescription from Real Time Physicians LLC.
At sentencing, Judge Bastian said that while working with Real Time Physicians LLC, “Dr. Becerril performed no legitimate medical work and did not exercise any independent medical judgment.” Judge Bastian remarked that doctors are trained “to protect their clients,” but stated that Dr. Becerril failed by “essentially selling his medical license through his signature.” The judge agreed with prosecutors that Becerril remained “steadfastly unapologetic” throughout the proceedings.
Special Agent in Charge Robb R. Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Pacific Regional Office said: “Today’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of Dr. Becerril’s long‑running scheme to defraud the taxpayer-funded Medicare program… As Judge Bastian noted, Dr. Becerril’s conduct amounted to selling his medical license ‘for $20 a signature,’ demonstrating his limitless greed and a callous disregard for his patients and taxpayers.”
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said, “This sentence shows our office’s commitment to vigorously prosecute Medicare fraudsters… especially those who… violated their oaths and medical ethics for a buck at the expense of the taxpayer.” The case was investigated by Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten and Tyler Tornabene along with Health Care Fraud Contractor Echo D. Fatsis.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington prosecutes federal crimes—including cases like this one—handles civil litigation on behalf of the United States government across 20 counties east of the Cascade Mountains, supports community safety initiatives such as drug awareness programs, and collaborates through its Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee with various law enforcement agencies including those internationally recognized training efforts, according to the official website.