Kyle Betts, a former medical resident, has pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining prescription opioid pain medications, including Percocet and Norco, by writing over 70 false prescriptions.
According to the plea agreement, Betts was a medical resident associated with a medical school in St. Louis, Missouri, from November 2014 to February 2016. During this time, he wrote opioid prescriptions using the names of six separate individuals, including family members and people with whom he had romantic relationships, without having a legitimate physician-patient relationship with any of them.
Betts used the names of these individuals to obtain prescription drugs, including visiting pharmacies and presenting prescriptions for drugs using other people’s names. Some of the drugs obtained under these false prescriptions were funded by Medicare and Illinois Medicaid programs.
Betts pleaded guilty to one felony count of obtaining prescription drugs that contained controlled substances through misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge before United States District Judge Catherine Perry. His sentencing has been set for August 17, 2017.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the judge will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The outcome of this case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and prevent prescription fraud.
The guilty plea of Kyle Betts serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of exploiting the healthcare system for personal gain. The fact that a medical resident, who is expected to uphold the highest standards of medical ethics, engaged in such egregious behavior is particularly troubling.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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