Evann Herrell, Drug Trafficking, Kentucky 2024

Physicians Sentenced for Roles in Kentucky Drug Trafficking and Fraud Scheme

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Three Tennessee physicians were sentenced on Wednesday and Thursday for their convictions in a conspiracy to illicitly prescribe controlled substances and related fraud and money laundering offenses.

Evann Herrell, Mark Grenkoski, and Stephen Cirelli, who worked at EHC Medical clinics in Harriman and Jacksboro, Tenn., were found guilty of conspiracy to illicitly prescribe controlled substances and related fraud and money laundering offenses. Herrell was sentenced to 120 months in prison, Grenkoski to 108 months, and Cirelli to 48 months.

Under federal law, Herrell, Grenkoski, and Cirelli must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon their release from prison, they will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for two years.

The physicians worked at EHC Medical clinics, which purported to offer treatment for opioid use disorder. However, the United States presented evidence that the defendants participated in a wide-ranging conspiracy to provide prescriptions for high doses and dangerous combinations of Suboxone and benzodiazepine-class drugs to cash-paying customers. These drugs were then being sold, traded, and abused throughout southeastern Kentucky.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, IRS, and HHS, with support from the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Rosenberg, Amanda Huang, and Andrew Smith. The case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Robert Taylor, the founder of EHC Medical, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy charge and was sentenced in 2023 to 30 months in prison. He forfeited $13.8 million and paid an additional fine of $200,000. Lori Barnett, a registered nurse who helped Taylor supervise day-to-day operations, and three other physicians – Matthew Rasberry, Helen Bidawid, and Eva Misra – also pleaded guilty to related drug or money laundering charges. McFarlane is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10, 2024.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/three-tennessee-physicians-sentenced-roles-drug-trafficking-and-fraud-schemes