Bloomington Dr. facing 40-years behind bars in federal prison

Posted on October 29, 2021
Jail records indicate Sabbun was released on bond, and his next court appearance is set for Dec. 15, 2021. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

PEORIA – A Bloomington doctor faces 40-years behind bars in federal prison for allegedly unlawfully dispensing and distributing controlled substances.

Federal prosecutors say Richard Sabbun, 61, of Bloomington allegedly distributed the controlled substances from Feb. 3, 2017, through Feb. 6, 2020, in McLean County and throughout central Illinois.

Court documents reveal that Sabbun was employed as an emergency room physician during the alleged criminal act.

During his first court appearance on Thursday in a federal courtroom in Peoria, prosecutors detailed how each count against Sabbun alleges that he provided prescriptions for controlled substances that were outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

Jail records indicate Sabbun was released on bond, and his next court appearance is set for Dec. 15, 2021.

If convicted, Sabburn faces up to 40-years in prison and a $5 million fine along with four years of supervised release.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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