SHREVEPORT, La. – Debra Bossier, a former medical assistant at Desoto Regional Health System, pleaded guilty to acquiring controlled substances by fraud in federal court. Bossier, 48, of Mansfield, Louisiana, entered a guilty plea to one count of acquiring or obtaining controlled substances by fraud.
The hearing was held before United States District Judge Donald E. Walter on February 10, 2023. According to evidence presented to the court, Bossier used the Electronic Medical Records System to falsely document telephone encounters to obtain controlled substances by fraud and forgery. She generated controlled substance prescriptions for herself, her husband, her daughters, and a daughter’s boyfriend.
The primary controlled substances that Bossier obtained by fraud were Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 10-325, also known as ‘Norco,’ and Oxycodone-Acetaminophen 10-325, also known as ‘Percocet.’ Bossier also fraudulently generated prescriptions for Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ativan. During the scheme to defraud, Bossier improperly generated over 200 prescriptions.
Once the prescriptions were generated, Bossier would print them and mark them with an ‘E’ above the name of the physician who allegedly prescribed the medications. She would then fill them at Mansfield Drug Company or provide the fraudulent prescriptions to her family members. One of the fraudulent prescriptions was filled at Mansfield Drug Company on October 31, 2019. Bossier generated this prescription for 120 tablets of Percocet for herself in the name of Debra Palmer. Percocet contains Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.
‘Medical providers and their employees have a duty to put patient’s interests ahead of their own and not take advantage of their employment situation for personal gain,’ said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. ‘The defendant in this case fraudulently obtained multiple controlled substances for herself and others without a valid prescription. This office will continue to hold those accountable who commit such selfish acts.’
Bossier faces a maximum sentence of not more than four years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. She is currently awaiting sentencing.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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