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Doc’s Pill Pushing Empire Crumbles
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced the unsealing of a second superseding indictment against Wayne Jerome Celestine, a 57-year-old physician who practiced in Gretna, Louisiana and resided in the New Orleans area. Celestine faces charges of distribution of controlled substances, structuring bank funds, obstruction of justice, and money laundering involving a substantial sum of cash.
Celestine allegedly illegally dispensed and conspired with others to illegally dispense controlled substances, including oxycodone, oxycodone/acetaminophen, oxycontin HCL, oxymorphone HCL, hydromorphone, opana, fentanyl, suboxone, and morphine sulfate, a Schedule II drug controlled substances; hydrocodone/acetaminophen, a Schedule III drug controlled substance until October 6, 2014, thereafter, a Schedule II drug controlled substance; and alprazolam, diazepam, and carisoprodol, Schedule IV drug controlled substances.
Celestine is detained pending trial and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on the drug dispensing conspiracy charge, a fine of not more than one million dollars, and a minimum term of supervised release of three years. He also faces 20 years in prison on the dispensing charges in Counts 2-5, a one million dollar fine, and three years of supervised release.
If convicted on the money laundering conspiracy charge, Celestine faces not more than 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. On the structuring charge, he faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. On the two obstruction charges, he faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Harahan Police Department, Westwego Police Department, Louisiana State Police, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, New Orleans Police Department, and New Orleans District Attorney’s Office in investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney John F. Murphy is in charge of the prosecution. This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of pill mills and the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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