Germantown Oral Surgeon Found Guilty of Second-Degree Depraved Heart Murder and Involuntary Manslaughter

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Cheryl McCally, a jury found defendant, Dr. James Michael Ryan, 50, of Clarksburg, guilty of second-degree depraved heart murder and involuntary manslaughter for the death of 25-year-old Sarah Harris, along with possession with the intent to distribute midazolam and distribution of ketamine and diazepam. The jury deliberated for less than three hours following a two week trial. Ryan faces up to 55 years in prison when he is sentenced. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

The victim, Harris, was found deceased in the home she and Ryan were renting in Clarksburg on January 26, 2022. A medical examiner determined her cause of death was ketamine, propofol and diazepam intoxication. Ryan had been supplying her with drugs, taken from his oral surgery practice, often administering them himself. Prior to their romantic involvement, Harris was Ryan’s patient who he recruited as an employee.

According to March 22 MCPD news release,  “Harris, a former patient of Dr. Ryan, began working in Ryan’s practice as a surgical technician in October of 2020. They began a romantic relationship around January of 2021, while she worked at Ryan’s practice. The two lived together in Ryan’s Clarksburg home. The relationship between the two continued until her fatal overdose on January 26, 2022. Ryan had been providing controlled substances, including Propofol, Ketamine, Diasepam, and midazolam, to Harris.  On January 26, Montgomery County Police 5^thDistrict officers responded to the 13900 block of Godwit Street in Clarksburg, for an overdose. Montgomery County Fire Rescue responded and attempted life-saving measures, but Sarah Harris was pronounced dead on the scene. Montgomery county police arrested Dr. Ryan following an extensive investigation and he is being held in the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit without bond. This is an active and ongoing investigation.”