Federal Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Utah Plastic Surgeon in Pandemic Mandate Case

In a landmark decision, federal prosecutors dropped all charges against Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, Jr., a Utah plastic surgeon, ending a two-and-a-half-year legal battle that became a focal point in the debate over pandemic mandates. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the dismissal on X, stating Moore “gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so” and that he did not deserve the harsh prison sentence he faced.
The case, which began in January 2023, accused Moore and three co-defendants of conspiracy to defraud the United States by issuing fake CDC COVID-19 vaccination record cards and administering saline shots to minors. The charges carried a potential 35-year prison sentence for Moore. However, the Justice Department’s decision to dismiss the case with prejudice means the same federal counts cannot be re-filed.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and Senator Mike Lee credited with influencing the decision, as Greene had promised to send a letter urging the DOJ to drop the case. Greene called Moore a “hero” for protecting medical freedom and refusing to administer experimental vaccines.
Moore, a decorated U.S. Navy Flight Surgeon with no criminal record, defended his actions as necessary to protect patients from what he viewed as unproven treatments. He treated roughly 800 patients using alternative protocols, resulting in no hospitalizations or deaths. Moore’s defense highlighted his belief in informed consent and his opposition to pandemic mandates.
The dismissal marks a significant victory for medical freedom advocates, as Moore’s case had become a symbol of resistance against federal health policies.

Published: 7/13/2025