Heather Morgan, Making False Statements, Tennessee 2015

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In a shocking turn of events, Heather Morgan, 28, of Maryville, Tenn., was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan. Morgan’s sentence also includes two years of supervised release upon her release from prison.

Morgan pleaded guilty to a federal grand jury indictment charging her with making false statements to a federal law enforcement agent. She admitted to lying to law enforcement regarding the location of customer files during the investigation of the Breakthrough Pain Management Clinic (Breakthrough) in Maryville, Tenn.

The Breakthrough Pain Management Clinic came under scrutiny in December 2010, when federal and local law enforcement agents conducted raids at several locations, seizing significant quantities of prescription narcotic pain pills, firearms, and nearly $700,000 in cash. The investigation into the pill mill case was a collaborative effort between the Internal Revenue Service, Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force, and Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States in the case against Morgan. The co-owners of Breakthrough, along with two family members, were previously convicted for their roles in operating the pain clinic and are currently serving prison terms.

The case against Morgan serves as a stark reminder of the importance of honesty and transparency in dealings with law enforcement. Morgan’s decision to lie to investigators has resulted in a significant sentence, highlighting the consequences of deception.

The Breakthrough Pain Management Clinic’s operations have been effectively shut down, with Morgan’s sentence marking another milestone in the case. The investigation and subsequent sentencing of Morgan demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to rooting out corruption and ensuring the public’s safety.

Morgan’s exact criminal charges were making false statements to a federal law enforcement agent. The city and state where the crime occurred are Maryville, Tennessee. The exact date of her sentencing was October 13, 2015. Her sentence includes 18 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release. The dollar amount mentioned in the case is $700,000 in cash seized during the raids.

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