Fahim Ahmed Khan, Prescription Pill Mill Operation, Texas 2017

Houston Pill Mill Operator Sentenced to 51 Months in Federal Prison

DALLAS - Fahim Ahmed Khan, 59, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for his involvement in a 'pill mill' operation, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Khan was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to 51 months in federal prison. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay a $17,500 fine. Khan pleaded guilty in August 2016 to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, namely oxycodone. Judge Fitzwater ordered Khan to report to serve his sentence on September 5, 2017.

The investigation revealed that Khan was involved in a scheme to illicitly obtain prescriptions for pain medications, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, and then distribute those controlled substances for profit. As part of the conspiracy, individuals, often homeless or of limited means, were recruited and paid to pose as patients at medical clinics, including the McAllen Medical Clinic, to obtain prescriptions to fill those prescriptions at designated pharmacies.

Superseding indictments were returned in December 2015 and in January 2016, and a total of 26 individuals have now been convicted. Khan established relationships with medical professionals and clinic owners, including co-conspirators, Muhammad Faridi and Dr. Richard Andrews of McAllen Medical Clinic in Dallas, Texas, to assist in the illegal distribution of oxycodone.

Khan obtained oxycodone with the intent to distribute it at a later time, despite never being a licensed medical practitioner, not holding a DEA registration number, and not being authorized to distribute or dispense oxycodone. He collected between $420 and $600 in cash from each patient who obtained a prescription for oxycodone, which was then distributed among Faridi, Andrews, himself, and office staff.

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Louisiana State Police, the Grand Prairie Police Department, the Dallas Police Department, the Houston Police Department, the Arlington Police Department, the Greenville Police Department, the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Walters is in charge of the prosecution.

The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies. The prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Walters.

Fahim Ahmed Khan, Defendant/Respondent, Real Full Name, Texas, Exact Date with month/day/year: 2016, Sentence or Outcome: 51 months in federal prison, $17,500 fine, Exact Criminal Charges: conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, namely oxycodone, City and State: Houston, Texas, Dollar Amounts: $17,500 fine, $420 to $600 cash collected from each patient.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/houston-pill-mill-operator-sentenced-51-months-federal-prison