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Just an intersting news story folks. This was on the news last night, from what I've heard this was one of the first OP's and didn't follow the rules.....This is the story from the associated press DALLAS (AP) -- Three physicians, two pharmacists and another man have been indicted on charges alleging they conspired to illegally distribute the painkiller hydrocodone through a Web-based pharmacy operation, the U.S. Attorney's office said Tuesday. The physicians never had face-to-face contact with the customers for whom the prescriptions were written, the indictment unsealed Tuesday said. Pharmacist Clayton Fuchs, 32, was arrested Tuesday at his home in Rockwall and was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, one count of a continuing criminal enterprise and one count of money laundering, officials said. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a $2.5 million fine. Also arrested Tuesday was Fuchs' stepfather, Eugene Gonzales, 48, of Garland. He was charged with one count of money laundering and faces a maximum 20-year imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, if convicted. Pharmacist Waldrick Lemons, 29, of Desoto and physician Kenneth Speak, 76, were charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. If convicted, they face a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Speak practices in Dallas, authorities said. Physicians Stephen Thompson, 49, of Garland and Robert Ogle, 55, of Rockwall were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of money laundering. If convicted, they face statutory maximum sentences of 25 years, and a $500,000 fine. Officials say they expect Lemons, Speak, Thompson and Ogle to surrender later this week. According to the indictment, Fuchs operated Friendly Pharmacy and Main Street Pharmacy, businesses that both had Web-based operations. Prosecutors say both pharmacies solicited customers through their Web sites. From Jan. 1, 2000, to March 31, 2001, Thompson, Speak and Ogle allegedly prescribed controlled substances, including hydrocodone, for customers who lived throughout the United States. "The pharmacies, through Clayton Fuchs, Waldrick Lemons and other pharmacists, knowingly filled and dispensed controlled substances on the basis of Internet prescriptions approved by Stephen Thompson, Kenneth Speak, Robert Ogle and Ricky Nelson," the U.S. Attorney's news release said. Nelson is an Oklahoma City physician who was convicted in January of prescribing addictive narcotics over the Internet. Fuchs allegedly controlled all the incoming money, and determined what payments the participants in the scheme would receive, prosecutors said. Fuchs and Gonzales made an initial appearance in front of a federal magistrate Tuesday. Hydrocodone is a powerful painkiller found in prescription drugs such as Vicodin and Lortab. According to the Texas Lieutenant Governor's office, hydrocodone is one of the most abused drugs in the country. In Texas, it is one of the top drugs stolen from pharmacies or diverted to illegal use. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |
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