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Charleston Doc Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Dispensing
A Charleston doctor has pleaded guilty to a federal crime involving the illegal dispensing of fentanyl. Dr. Iraj Derakhshan, 72, entered his guilty plea to violating reporting requirements mandated by federal drug laws for dispensing controlled substances.
Dr. Derakhshan admitted that on June 18, 2015, he obtained fentanyl from one of his patients, who had acquired the fentanyl from a prescription written by the doctor. The patient returned the unused portion of the prescription to Dr. Derakhshan because of an adverse reaction to the drug. On the same day, Dr. Derakhshan admitted to illegally dispensing the unused fentanyl to a different patient.
The dispensing was unlawful because it was not done by an authorized prescription and was not presented to a pharmacy to be filled. Dr. Derakhshan further admitted to knowingly and intentionally failing to report and maintain a record of this dispensing of fentanyl as required by federal law.
The investigation of Dr. Derakhshan was conducted by the DEA. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.
As part of the plea agreement, Dr. Derakhshan will permanently surrender his DEA Certificate of Registration and not oppose revocation of his registration to dispense controlled substances. Dr. Derakhshan agreed that one of the grounds for the revocation is being convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance.
Dr. Derakhshan faces up to four years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 when he is sentenced on July 8, 2016. The case is part of an ongoing effort to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin in the Southern District of West Virginia.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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