Related Federal Cases
- WV Doc Bilks IRS for $2.5M · West Virginia
- WV Barber Board Staffer Pilfers Fees · West Virginia
- WV Cemetery Owner Plundered Grieving Families · West Virginia
- WV Barber Board Staffer Scammed Nail Techs, Pocketed $1855 · West Virginia
- WV Biz Owner Cashed In on COVID Chaos · West Virginia
Doc Dished Out Painkillers Like Candy
A West Virginia physician has been indicted on charges that she prescribed prescription painkillers outside the scope of her professional practice.
Dr. Tressie M. DUFFY, age 44 of Martinsburg, W. Va., was indicted on 100 felony counts alleging that she aided and abetted the distribution of narcotic controlled substances. The indictment asserts that DUFFY signed blank prescription orders and then allowed employees at her medical practice to issue the prescriptions without being seen by a physician, all in violation of Federal law.
DUFFY is alleged to have issued 157 prescriptions for controlled substances to 96 patients outside the course of professional practice. She was indicted along with Amanda CLARK, age 29 of Martinsburg, an office assistant at West Virginia Weight & Wellness, and Tracie COLBERT, age 33 of Martinsburg, an employee of AIT Laboratories.
DUFFY, CLARK, and COLBERT are each alleged to have aided and abetted the distribution of Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Methadone, and Methylphenidate, HCL, all Schedule II controlled substances. They face up to twenty years in prison on each count, along with a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of each defendant. The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Camilletti and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. DUFFY’s practice, West Virginia Weight and Wellness, Inc., has been at the center of the investigation, which has been ongoing since the summer of 2019.
The indictment marks a significant development in the ongoing battle against prescription painkiller abuse in West Virginia, which has struggled with some of the highest rates of overdose deaths in the country.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News