An Orlando physician who turned to online silicone shopping for cosmetic buttock work is headed to federal prison. On January 30, a federal judge sentenced 55-year-old Dr. Nhan Pham to two years behind bars after prosecutors said he injected patients with silicone oil for buttock enhancements at his office and at his home. Investigators say Pham bought the silicone online and used it between 2015 and 2019, while victims and court records describe sharp, sometimes long-lasting pain and disfigurement after the procedures.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, Pham pleaded guilty on May 7, 2025, to receipt in interstate commerce and proffered delivery of an adulterated device, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The office said U.S. District Judge John Antoon II imposed the two-year prison term as the federal case reached its conclusion.
What prosecutors say
Court documents, as reported by West Orlando News, state that Pham ordered silicone oil online and injected it into patients for gluteal and buttock enhancement procedures, both at his clinic and at his residence. Prosecutors contend he pitched the injections to patients as “safe,” “natural,” and likely to dissolve over time.
Patients' complications and the undercover sting
After receiving the injections, patients reported sharp pain, discoloration, itching, burning, inflammation, soreness, and hardening in the treated areas, according to court filings and local coverage. The indictment also states that Pham offered to perform silicone injections for an undercover law enforcement agent on September 24, 2019, an encounter that helped set the federal case in motion, according to WFTV.
FDA: No injectable silicone is approved
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that injectable silicone is not approved for body contouring and can cause severe, sometimes permanent injuries, including embolism, stroke, and death. In a 2017 safety communication, the agency said such injections are often carried out in non-clinical settings by unlicensed providers and urged consumers to “check before you inject.” The FDA has also highlighted recent enforcement actions and public health risks tied to these types of procedures.
Investigation and prosecution
The case was investigated by the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations and the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu handled the prosecution. The indictment in the case was unsealed in October 2024, and Pham entered his guilty plea in May 2025, capping a multi-year investigation.
Legal notes
Pham pleaded guilty to violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for “receipt in interstate commerce” and “proffered delivery” of an adulterated device, offenses that carry statutory maximum penalties of up to three years per count. The press release does not list restitution or civil claims, and victims could still pursue separate civil remedies even after the criminal sentence.
