Gary Frantz, Prescription Pill Trafficking, Ohio 2017
Mansfield Physician Charged with Prescription Pill Trafficking
A 67-year-old Mansfield physician, Gary Frantz, has been indicted in federal court for allegedly leading a conspiracy in which he is accused of illegally prescribing tens of thousands of doses of painkillers and other controlled substances.
According to the 242-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court, Frantz distributed tens of thousands of doses of prescription painkillers, primarily oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, and fentanyl, from his medical offices in Mansfield between 2005 and June 8, 2017.
Frantz prescribed drugs to customers that he described as “patients” outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. He distributed multiple prescriptions for large quantities of high doses of oxycodone pills, including 80 mg and 30 mg OxyContin pills to “patients” each month, as well as prescriptions for fentanyl.
Fulk was one of Frantz’s “patients.” Fulk is alleged to have received tens of thousands of oxycodone pills from Frantz. Fulk, between 2008 and 2018, distributed oxycodone pills and fentanyl patches he received from Frantz, according to the allegations in the indictment.
Fulk then sold thousands of oxycodone pills and hundreds of fentanyl patches he received from Frantz to various customers in the Mansfield area, according to the indictment.
The indictment details how Frantz allegedly distributed fraudulent prescriptions for tens of thousands of 30 mg oxycodone pills, 80 mg oxycodone pills, and hundreds of fentanyl patches between 2012 and 2017.
“The healthcare profession is a critical ally in our nation’s fight against the opioid epidemic,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Where we see departures from responsible care that leads to addiction, abuse, and diversion, we will use every enforcement tool available to us, including like in this case, criminal prosecution.”
“Medical professionals, especially doctors, serve a vital function in preventing the illegal diversion of opioid medication,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin, Detroit Division. “This indictment, and others like it around the country, demonstrate our commitment to prosecuting licensed professionals who flood communities with addictive legal drugs for their own personal benefit.”
The defendant, Gary Frantz, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, distribution of oxycodone and hydrocodone, and other charges. If convicted, the defendant’s sentences will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
Defendant: Gary Frantz
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, distribution of oxycodone and hydrocodone, and other charges
City and State: Mansfield, Ohio
Date: June 8, 2017
Sentence: To be determined by the Court
Dollar Amount: None mentioned
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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