Malachi Love-Robinson first posed as physician three years ago when he was 17 years old. After pleading guilty Thursday to practicing medicine without a license, practicing naturopathy without a license and grand theft, the now 20-year-old is headed to prison for 3.5 years, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Here are seven things to know about his case.
1. Mr. Love-Robinson was caught pretending to be a physician at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., in 2015. He was wearing a white lab coat, a stethoscope around his neck and a surgical mask the day he was discovered at the hospital. No charges were filed against the teenager regarding the incident, and the hospital said he did not gain access to any patient care areas.
2. Later in 2015, Mr. Love-Robinson opened a clinic in Boynton Beach, Fla., but he shut down the facility after the Florida Department of Health issued a cease-and-desist order because he did not have a medical license.
3. In February 2016, Mr. Love-Robinson was arrested and charged with practicing medicine without a license. He allegedly performed physical exams and gave medical advice to people — including an undercover officer — at an illegal medical office he ran in West Palm Beach.
4. On the website for his fake medical practice, New Birth Life Holistic and Alternative Medical Center and Urgent Care, Mr. Love-Robinson claimed to have a string of degrees including a PhD. In paperwork for the business, his title was Dr. Malachi Love-Robinson, and he was listed as CEO.
5. Mr. Love-Robinson was also charged with grand theft in February 2016 for stealing more than $30,000 from an 86-year-old woman, using checks he stole during house calls.
6. After posting bail of $26,000, Mr. Love-Robinson was arrested in Virginia in September 2016 for allegedly trying to use an elderly woman's credit cards to purchase a vehicle without her permission. A Virginia judged sentenced him to 10 years in prison in early 2017. However, the judge immediately suspended nine years of the term.
7. Mr. Love-Robinson then came back to Florida where he faced 14 criminal charges. He reached a plea deal with prosecutors Thursday and agreed to serve 3.5 years in prison with credit for 16 months already served. He also agreed to repay his victims $80,000 when he gets out of prison, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
DOJ recovers $2.4B in healthcare fraud cases: 4 things to know
Broward Health leaders allege prosecutorial misconduct: 5 things to know
MU Health Care settles class-action lawsuit over payroll practices for $3.6M