David L. Jones, Oxycodone-for-Prescriptions Scheme, Albuquerque NM,…

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – David L. Jones, 61, of Portales, N.M., stood before a federal judge in Albuquerque this week, accused of running a dangerous game: trading powerful opioid prescriptions for the drugs themselves. The licensed nurse practitioner, employed at a Clovis healthcare center, allegedly fueled a patient’s addiction and sought to replenish his own supply through an illicit exchange, according to a criminal complaint unsealed this week.

The feds at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) first caught wind of the scheme back in October 2014, receiving information from the Curry County Sheriff’s Department about Jones’ allegedly illegal prescribing habits. An interview with a former patient painted a damning picture, claiming Jones knowingly provided Oxycodone prescriptions to an individual he knew was already hooked, with a clear understanding that a portion of the pills would circle back to him. It’s a twisted cycle of dependency and self-service, and the DEA wasn’t buying it.

The investigation deepened in February 2015, with DEA agents and the Curry County Sheriff’s Office deploying confidential sources. These sources, the complaint alleges, were able to obtain prescriptions for Oxycodone from Jones with the explicit agreement that some of the pills would be handed over to him. On February 18th and 20th, Jones allegedly provided three such prescriptions. Under DEA surveillance, the informants filled those prescriptions and, on February 20th, allegedly delivered a portion of the obtained Oxycodone directly to Jones.

The sting culminated in a search of Jones’ vehicle, where agents reportedly found him in possession of the Oxycodone provided by the informant. The complaint doesn’t detail the quantity, but the implication is clear: Jones wasn’t just treating patients, he was actively participating in the very drug abuse he was supposed to be alleviating. The whole operation reeks of betrayal and a callous disregard for the well-being of those he swore to help.

Jones entered a not guilty plea and has been released pending trial, subject to conditions of pretrial supervision. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison. But a plea is just a starting point. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, framing it as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative – a multi-pronged effort to combat the opioid crisis in the state. This isn’t just about one rogue practitioner; it’s about tackling a systemic problem that’s claiming lives across New Mexico.

The HOPE Initiative, a collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, focuses on prevention, treatment, law enforcement, reentry programs, and strategic planning. The DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, combining federal, state, and local resources, led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel R. Meyers is handling the prosecution. While charges in the criminal complaint are accusations, and Jones is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the evidence presented suggests a calculated scheme that exploited vulnerability for personal gain. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.