Help Dr. Robert Rand Rebuild After Unjust Imprisonment

Help Dr. Robert Rand Rebuild After Unjust Imprisonment

In late April of 2016, four men with guns took my husband away in handcuffs. He was a doctor, loved and respected by so many in our Reno, NV, community. He worked tirelessly, serving patients at local hospitals as well as in his own clinic. He saw all types of patients and was known as a compassionate and competent physician. He disappeared for days without even a phone call. Below, you'll find his story in his own words:

"Hi, I'm Robert Rand, MD. I'm asking for your help to support our family through a rough patch. I've been in the medical field since becoming an EMT in 1986 and became a doctor in 2002. So, for 30 years, I worked in medicine—until that fateful day when I was arrested and, I believe, wrongly imprisoned for nearly a decade for prescribing pain medication to patients I thought needed it.

My court proceedings in federal court were never fair—I have evidence to prove it. After almost two years of trying to fight my case, I pled guilty and took a deal. But I was never given the deal I agreed to; in yet more unfair proceedings, I was sentenced to a decade in federal prison. During my sentence, I endured terrible medical care and spent most of my time at Lompoc, a prison that became notorious during COVID for its handling of outbreaks. I survived COVID several times there, but prison left me injured and largely neglected by their so-called medical care. Now, at 61, I'm out, barred from practicing medicine, and facing health issues like needing a hip replacement and having low blood oxygen levels, with no clear reason why.

Starting over is brutal, especially being barred from practicing medicine, and our bills are piling up fast. I've always been quite self-reliant, and I hate pleading for help, but I fought for the pain community until they handcuffed me and hauled me away—literally holding me in the same county jail where I'd worked as a doctor and medical director.

Many people, especially those with chronic pain, understand what I did and the sacrifice I made to treat my patients. Amazingly, when they convicted me, the federal government had effectively removed the need to prove criminal intent on my part—or any doctor's. That's since changed due to a major Supreme Court case, and my case might have ended differently if they'd had to prove intent.

Any support will help us get steady again. Melissa and I are so thankful for anything you can give.

Sincerely,

Robert Rand, MD