Doctor Rolando Arafiles Pleads Guilty in WInkler County Whistle Blower Scandal
By: Jamie Kuras
Updated: November 8, 2011
WINKLER COUNTY -- Doctor Rolando Arafiles pleaded guilty in Kermit to misuse of information and retaliation against the two nurses who reported him to the Texas Medical Board.
He will now spend 60 days in the Andrews County Jail and will be on probation for 5 years.
"I feel like justice has been served," said former nurse Anne Mitchell. "We've had 36 different people look at the same situation and they found me innocent and they found the people that went to trial guilty and that kind of tells you that our court system works."
"We're very happy," said Nurse Practitioner Naomi Warren. "We believe that justice was served and that right does prevail and we were able to be successful and let the public know that we do have their back."
"We're very pleased," said Prosecuting Attorney David Glickler. "I thought this was an excellent opportunity to show that the justice system does work, still works and it worked out very well in this instance."
Former Winkler County Sheriff Robert Roberts and County Attorney Scott Tidwell were both found guilty earlier this year on the same charges.
Throughout the entire process, nurses Vicki Galle and Anne Mitchell were commended for doing what they thought was right.
"It takes a lot of courage to stand up and do whats right when those in power... When its not popular with those in power," said Warren. "But Anne and Vicki stood up. They stood up for the patient safety and I will be eternally grateful for that."
Now, the nurses now look to get past this whole ordeal.
"Move on with my life," said Mitchell. "Can't change what happened but you can change the future."
In addition to the 60 days in jail and 5 years probation, Arafiles will have to pay a $5,000 fine, perform community service, and surrender his license to practice medicine in the state of Texas. Meaning he can never be a doctor in Texas again. That's effective this Friday, the same day he reports to the Andrews County Jail.
He will now spend 60 days in the Andrews County Jail and will be on probation for 5 years.
"I feel like justice has been served," said former nurse Anne Mitchell. "We've had 36 different people look at the same situation and they found me innocent and they found the people that went to trial guilty and that kind of tells you that our court system works."
"We're very happy," said Nurse Practitioner Naomi Warren. "We believe that justice was served and that right does prevail and we were able to be successful and let the public know that we do have their back."
"We're very pleased," said Prosecuting Attorney David Glickler. "I thought this was an excellent opportunity to show that the justice system does work, still works and it worked out very well in this instance."
Former Winkler County Sheriff Robert Roberts and County Attorney Scott Tidwell were both found guilty earlier this year on the same charges.
Throughout the entire process, nurses Vicki Galle and Anne Mitchell were commended for doing what they thought was right.
"It takes a lot of courage to stand up and do whats right when those in power... When its not popular with those in power," said Warren. "But Anne and Vicki stood up. They stood up for the patient safety and I will be eternally grateful for that."
Now, the nurses now look to get past this whole ordeal.
"Move on with my life," said Mitchell. "Can't change what happened but you can change the future."
In addition to the 60 days in jail and 5 years probation, Arafiles will have to pay a $5,000 fine, perform community service, and surrender his license to practice medicine in the state of Texas. Meaning he can never be a doctor in Texas again. That's effective this Friday, the same day he reports to the Andrews County Jail.
