Key Takeaways
- Dr. Ronald DeMeo was charged with sexual battery on March 19, 2026, in Miami, Florida, stemming from an alleged incident during an appointment at his office.
- According to the complaint, the patient reported being given both nitrous oxide and wine prior to the assault.
- Survivors of sexual abuse by doctors may have civil legal options.
Florida Doctor DeMeo Charged in Sexual Battery Case
A Miami doctor is facing serious criminal charges after a patient reported being sexually assaulted during a medical appointment.
According to a complaint/arrest affidavit, Dr. Ronald DeMeo, 63, was arrested in connection with the allegations on March 18, 2026. He has been charged with three counts of sexual battery involving a physically helpless victim under Florida law.
The alleged incident took place at his office on October 25, 2025, at 2801 SW 3rd Avenue in Miami, where the patient had gone for a follow-up appointment for a cosmetic procedure. Meridian Cosmetic Miami, a practice owned by DeMeo, is located at the same address.
On Thursday, March 19, a judge ordered that DeMeo be released under house arrest with GPS monitoring. He “is not allowed to practice medicine while out of jail.” (NBC Miami)
Authorities are looking for any additional victims.
Miami Police spokesman Michael Vega told NBC Miami, “‘And the same way it happened to her, we believe that it could have happened to anyone, so if anybody has gone to this doctor and feels that they were a victim of something similar, please contact the Miami Police Department.”
The Miami Police Department can be reached at:
- Non-Emergency Line: (305) 579-6111
- Anonymous Tips (Crime Stoppers): 305-471-TIPS (8477)
What the Complaint Alleges
According to the complaint, the alleged victim is a 29-year-old woman who is a patient of DeMeo. She reported that on October 25, 2025, she attended a follow-up appointment for a cosmetic procedure.
The complaint states that she recalled inhaling “nitro” (nitrous oxide), “a sedative to alleviate pain before the procedure, along with prescribed medication.”
The patient reported that while she was waiting for the doctor to enter the procedure room, a staff member offered her a glass of wine. She indicated that this was something typically provided to patients and that she accepted it.
“The victim further stated that she recalls seeing [DeMeo] in the room and hearing him tell her that he would see her in a while and to inhale nitro prior to him returning. The victim stated she remembers continuing to inhale nitro.”
According to the complaint, she recalled DeMeo being in the room, closing the blinds, and then “feeling as if she was pushed down in what she thinks was an office, then opening her eyes, and seeing the defendant over her body” engaging in sexual activity with her.
She reported feeling impaired and having no control over her body, stating that “she did not have the strength to speak or fight back and just closed her eyes, wanting the assault to end.”
She told investigators “she never consented to, discussed, or expressed any interest in [DeMeo] or engaging in any sexual activity.” She also recalled looking for her pants and leaving the office, where she did not see any staff members present.
The complaint further states that a few days later, the victim located a video on her phone with a recording the sexual assault.
According to the complaint, the video showed non-consensual sexual acts and confirmed the identities of both the patient and DeMeo.
Nitrous Oxide and Alcohol in Medical Settings
One of the most troubling aspects of this case is the allegation that the patient was given both nitrous oxide, a sedative, and wine, which can also act as a sedative, before the alleged assault.
Nitrous oxide is sometimes administered to reduce anxiety or pain during procedures, but it is expected to be used in a controlled and closely monitored environment.
Alcohol is not a medically accepted component of procedural sedation, and patients are generally advised to avoid alcohol before and during medical procedures due to its potential to interfere with medications and increase sedation risks.
When combined, nitrous oxide and alcohol can significantly impair awareness, judgment, memory, and physical responsiveness. This combination may increase sedation and disorientation, interfere with perception, and reduce a person’s ability to communicate or protect themselves.
In a clinical setting, introducing alcohol alongside a sedative raises serious concerns about patient safety, professional judgment, and ethics. Taken together, these allegations are disturbing and warrant close scrutiny.
The indication that wine was “usually provided to patients” raises important questions about whether this may have been a tactic used to create or increase patient vulnerability.
Dr. DeMeo’s Medical Credentials
Dr. DeMeo has been practicing for over 35 years, with records indicating he has been active since 1989. Public records indicate that Dr. Ronald DeMeo holds staff privileges at multiple hospitals, including Coral Gables Hospital, Palm Springs General Hospital, and Parkway Regional Medical Center. He is licensed to practice in both Florida and Texas.
He has reported affiliations with professional organizations such as the American Medical Association, the American Pain Society, and the International Spinal Injection Society.
Public records further indicate that Dr. DeMeo is board-certified in anesthesiology and holds additional certification in pain management.
Publicly available information indicates that owns and operates both Meridian Cosmetic and Meridian Spine.
As of the time of writing, publicly available records do not appear to reflect any disciplinary action taken by the state medical board.
Can a Doctor or Medical Practice Be Held Liable?
Medical providers and the practices they operate within have a legal duty to protect their patients. When sexual abuse is alleged to have occurred in a medical setting, both the individual provider and the medical practice may face civil liability.
Medical sexual abuse survivors may have the right to pursue civil claims against the doctor, as well as the practice, for the harm they experienced. These claims may seek compensation for emotional, psychological, and physical harm, including the profound breach of trust that can occur when a medical provider exploits a patient.
Civil litigation can also examine whether proper protocols were followed, whether supervision and safety measures were adequate, and whether the environment itself contributed to the patient’s vulnerability.
If You Were Harmed by Dr. Ronald “Ron” DeMeo
Being harmed by a medical professional can be deeply traumatic. Patients place trust in providers during vulnerable moments, and violations of that trust can have lasting effects.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we have decades of experience representing survivors of sexual abuse by trusted professionals, including doctors and healthcare providers.
We recognize how difficult it can be to come forward, especially when the abuse involved someone who was supposed to provide care. Our trauma-informed attorneys are here to listen and guide you through your options with compassion and clarity.
If you or someone you love was harmed by Dr. Ron DeMeo or another doctor, please reach out to us. All consultations are free and confidential.
You do not have to face this alone. Help is available, and justice is possible.
Contact us today.
Image sources: Left: Dr. Ronald Freeman DeMeo, via Meridian Spine. Right: Mugshot of DeMeo, courtesy of Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Inmate Search.
