Raúl D. Villalobos-Meléndez, a 36-year-old resident of San Juan, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to making false statements and representations to a federal agency. The plea was entered in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico before Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll.
According to court documents, Villalobos-Meléndez never held a license to practice medicine in Puerto Rico or any other part of the United States. Although he graduated as a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Science Arts and Technology-Monserrat College of Medicine in June 2018, he did not pass the required United States Medical License Examination (USMLE). He later obtained a Physician Assistant license in Puerto Rico but altered those documents to falsely present himself as having both provisional and permanent medical licenses.
In 2023, Villalobos-Meléndez applied for a position at Hospital del Maestro's Post-Graduate Medical Education Internship Program using forged documentation, including fake USMLE score reports and an altered license registry certification. Despite lacking valid credentials, he worked as a physician in the Transitional Internship program at Hospital del Maestro from June 2023 through May 2024.
On September 27, 2024, Villalobos-Meléndez submitted false information on an enrollment form to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), claiming active medical licensure with fabricated details and listing his specialty as “General Practitioner.” He also reassigned his Medicare benefits to Physician HMO.
“The defendant lied to Puerto Rican and federal agencies by falsifying his documents and pretending to be a certified physician. This poses a danger to those who seek health care from medical professionals,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute these types of fraud that put the health and safety of health care patients at risk.”
“This case underscores our commitment to protecting the integrity of our health care system and patient safety. Using a forged medical license and providing false statements to gain access to federal healthcare programs is a serious breach of public trust,” stated Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners will continue to work relentlessly to ensure those who deceive the system will face justice.”
“Falsifying medical credentials to infiltrate America’s healthcare systems is not only fraud—it places lives at risk, erodes public trust, and undermines the integrity of the noble medical profession,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's San Juan Field Office. “The FBI remains committed to protecting the integrity of our systems and holding accountable those who exploit it for personal gain. We will continue working closely with our partners to investigate and bring to justice individuals who threaten the wellbeing of our communities.”
Villalobos-Meléndez faces up to five years in prison, fines up to $250,000, and supervised release; sentencing is scheduled for October 22, 2025.
The investigation was led by HHS-OIG and FBI under Caribbean HEAT—a task force formed in 2024 focused on addressing health care fraud—and included support from several agencies such as DEA, Puerto Rico Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, U.S. Marshals Service; prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Wallace A. Bustelo.
To report suspected health care fraud or abuse related matters individuals can call HHS-OIG Hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or visit https://tips.oig.hhs.gov . For voluntary self-disclosure protocols regarding healthcare issues see https://oig.hhs.gov/compliance/self-disclosure-info/self-disclosure-protocol/ .
