Tampa, FL – In a shocking case of medical malpractice and greed, Dr. Janet Pettyjohn and her granddaughter Shelly Gallagher have been sentenced to prison for their roles in an opioid distribution scheme that left a trail of destruction in its wake. Pettyjohn, a 78-year-old osteopathic physician from Spring Hill, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, while Gallagher, 34, from Brooksville, received a six-year sentence.
The sentencing, which took place on May 2024, was a culmination of a lengthy investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration – Tampa District Office, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, and the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office.
According to court documents, Pettyjohn was an osteopathic physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of Florida with a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number to prescribe controlled substances. However, in July 2020, Florida’s Board of Osteopathic Medicine (BOM) restricted Pettyjohn from prescribing opioids due to complaints about the manner in which she prescribed controlled substances.
Despite this restriction, Pettyjohn continued to prescribe opioids in violation of the Final Order, which was later lifted in March 2021. Gallagher, Pettyjohn’s granddaughter, was involved in sponsoring patients at Pettyjohn’s clinic and ordering controlled substances for herself and others from Pettyjohn. The investigation revealed that Pettyjohn knowingly and intentionally prescribed the controlled substances for Gallagher and others for no legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice.
A search of Pettyjohn’s residence in February 2024 revealed $34,132 in U.S. currency in a safe, which were proceeds of her illegal prescribing. Pettyjohn relinquished her medical license and DEA registration in May 2024.
Gallagher and Pettyjohn were charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs, a crime that carries severe penalties. The investigation was a testament to the determined efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat the opioid epidemic that has ravaged communities across the country.
The sentencing of Pettyjohn and Gallagher serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violating the law and the importance of upholding the trust placed in medical professionals. The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies to prevent such crimes from occurring in the future.
The case is a significant victory for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which has been working tirelessly to combat opioid-related crimes. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration – Tampa District Office, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, and the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office.
Related Federal Cases
- Daniel Alberto Carpman, Oxycodone Distribution, Florida 2023 · Georgia
- Christopher Sharod Massena, Fentanyl Distribution, Florida 2024 · Colorado
- Cardinal Health Inc, Opioid Distribution Negligence, FL 2023 · New York
- Michael Morgan Dietch, Opioid Distribution, FL 2024 · Georgia
- McKesson Corporation, Opioid Distribution Failures, CO 2023 · Ohio
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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