Charges against Utah plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Kirk Moore were officially dropped by the federal government on Saturday. The case had accused Moore of destroying over $28,000 worth of COVID-19 vaccines and issuing fraudulent vaccination cards. He allegedly gave children saline shots instead of vaccines at the request of their parents. The charges, which could have led to up to 35 years in prison, were dismissed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Bondi Cites Patient Freedom and Justice

Utah plastic surgeon
Utah plastic surgeon, Michael Kirk Moore.

Pam Bondi explained her decision on X, stating that Moore allowed patients to make their own choices when the government did not. “He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today,” she wrote. The dismissal was filed by acting U.S. Attorney for Utah, Felice John Viti, who claimed the move was in the interest of justice. The trial had just started in Salt Lake City with jury selection earlier that week.

Initial Charges Sparked National Attention

A grand jury had returned an indictment in January 2023 against Moore, his clinic, and several associates. The case alleged that nearly 2,000 fake vaccine cards had been distributed in exchange for donations or cash payments. The government also claimed Moore’s clinic administered saline to children so they would believe they had received the vaccine. The charges included conspiracy and aiding in the disposal of government property.

Public Figures Rally Behind Moore

Support for Moore came from prominent figures such as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who had long held anti-vaccine views before assuming office. In April, he praised Moore on social media for his “courage” and “commitment to healing.” During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy declined to support the scientific consensus around childhood vaccines and the lifesaving impact of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Political Influence May Have Played a Role

Pam Bondi noted in a follow-up post that Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene had brought the case to her attention. The motion to dismiss arrives amid a shifting political landscape, where vaccine policies and mandates continue to stir national debate. Despite the serious allegations, federal prosecutors opted to halt the proceedings, leaving questions about precedent and future enforcement unresolved.