Author Topic: Surgeon Replaced Fingerprints for Footprints (Read 918 times)

hazel · « **on:** November 02, 2007, 04:03:12 AM »

A plastic surgeon who replaced the fingerprints of an alleged drug dealer with skin from the bottom of his feet pleaded guilty to concealing a fugitive.

Dr Jose Covarrubias, who practiced his medical specialty in Mexico, now faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The charges stemmed from surgery Covarrubias performed on Jamacian Marc George, 42.

The doctor replaced George's fingerprints with skin from his feet to help him avoid apprehension, authorities said.

The doctor's attorney, Stephen Ralls, said Covarrubias had "a lapse of judgment" and had no prior criminal record.

Covarrubias, 49, had been indicted by a grand jury in Harrisburg for his involvement with a drug ring, which prosecutors said conspired to buy marijuana.

George, an alleged courier of drugs and cash for the drug ring, spent several weeks in a hotel in Mexico recuperating from the surgery.

He was still limping badly when he was arrested at the Nogales border crossing in September 2005 on a charge of money laundering.

Covarrubias was returned to jail in Pennsylvania, where he has been held since May.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Behe, the lead prosecutor, said George and another defendant in the case are also being held at the jail.

Kane advised Covarrubias that she could impose the maximum prison term even if prosecutors recommend leniency.

Covarrubias told Kane that his lawyers had estimated the sentence would be 10 to 16 months.

metro.uk.co

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Author Topic: Surgeon Replaced Fingerprints for Footprints (Read 918 times)

hazel

Surgeon Replaced Fingerprints for Footprints