GERMANTOWN, Md. – A 50-year-old oral surgeon from Germantown, Maryland, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after being convicted of supplying and administering powerful drugs to his girlfriend, resulting in her death.
The sentencing took place in Montgomery County Circuit Court, where the family of the victim, Sarah Harris, condemned oral surgeon James Ryan as a “monster” and a “predator” who led Harris down a destructive path of addiction that ultimately claimed her life.
Ryan was found guilty of murder in the death of 25-year-old Sarah Harris, who was discovered dead at Ryan’s Montgomery County residence in January 2022. The court heard evidence that Ryan had set up an intravenous stand to administer drugs to Harris, who was found to have died of intoxication from ketamine, Propofol, and diazepam.
Prosecutors argued that Ryan had displayed “extreme indifference” to Harris’ life by continuously supplying her with drugs as her health deteriorated. At the time of her death, she weighed only 83 pounds.
During the sentencing, Ryan’s attorney stated that he was attempting to aid Harris in her own battle with addiction. Ryan himself expressed remorse to the court, acknowledging that he deserved to be punished.
The court proceedings saw a poignant moment when Harris’ mother held up a small bag containing her daughter’s ashes and hair, tearfully addressing Ryan. This emotional display underscored the deep impact of Harris’ death on her family, who also revealed that they had lost their son just days before Sarah’s fatal seizure.
Ultimately, Judge Cheryl McCally handed down the 45-year prison sentence to Ryan, expressing her belief that there was no justification for any of the tragic events that led to Harris’ death. McCally held Ryan accountable, stating that his actions precipitated the chain of events that ultimately resulted in Harris’ passing.
The sentencing brings closure to the tragic case, but it also serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of drug abuse and the importance of seeking help for those battling addiction.