Nhan Pham, a 55-year-old physician from Orlando, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for injecting silicone oil into patients for cosmetic procedures. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge John Antoon II after Pham pleaded guilty on May 7, 2025, to charges related to the receipt and delivery of an adulterated device under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
Court documents revealed that between 2015 and 2019, Pham ordered silicone oil online and used it for gluteal and buttock enhancement procedures at both his office and home. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved injectable silicone for body contouring or enhancement purposes and has issued warnings about its illegality and associated health risks.
Pham misled his patients by claiming that the substance he injected was "safe," "natural," and would dissolve over time. After receiving these injections, patients reported complications including sharp pain, discomfort, discoloration, itchiness, burning sensations, inflammation, soreness, and hardness at the injection sites.
On September 24, 2019, Pham also offered to perform a silicone oil injection on an undercover law enforcement agent.
The investigation was conducted by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations along with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation. Additional assistance came from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu prosecuted the case.
