Cardiologist arrested in undercover operation targeting sex predators
A 56-year-old cardiologist was one of 10 men arrested and booked as part of a two-day undercover operation designed to identify sexual predators. Yogesh Patel, MD, was charged with soliciting for child prostitution, attempting to patronize a prostituted child and pandering of a child.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office out of Mesa County, Colorado, issued a statement, saying its officers worked closely with the Grand Junction Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Grand County Sheriff’s Office of Utah, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado State Patrol, 21 Judicial District Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations to plan the undercover operation. The men arrested ranged in ages from 28 to 68 years old. Patel is listed as a part-time resident of Grand Junction, Colorado.
“All law enforcement agencies involved in this operation want these arrests to serve as a warning to those who knowingly and willfully solicit underage persons for sexual acts that these crimes are not tolerated in Mesa County,” according to the statement.
The Daily Sentinel, based out of Grand Junction, published additional reporting on the 10 arrests, noting that Patel was allegedly caught communicating online with an undercover officer he believed to be the mother of a 14-year-old girl. Patel agreed to pay a total of $300 to visit with the 14-year-old. When he arrived at the hotel room, officers were waiting to make the arrest.
The Daily Sentinel also shared a statement from St. Mary’s Medical Center, where Patel worked as a cardiologist.
“Dr. Yogesh R. Patel was a contracted cardiologist and not an employee of St. Mary’s Medical Center,” according to the statement. “His medical staff privileges at the hospital have been suspended. He will not be providing care or services to patients at the hospital or medical clinic. Because this is an ongoing investigation, further questions should be referred to law enforcement.”
St. Mary’s appears to have completely removed Patel from its website as a result of this incident.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.