A high-profile case of prescription pill trafficking has come to a close in Florida. According to a recent ruling by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Jeffrey R. Green, 51, and his business partner, Karen S. Hebble, 46, will serve time in prison for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and alprazolam.
Green, the owner of Gulf Coast Medical Pharmacy in Ft. Myers, and Hebble, the pharmacy’s office manager, were initially found guilty in a January 2015 jury trial. United States District Judge John Steele subsequently sentenced Green to seven years in prison and Hebble to five years.
The defendants were also ordered to forfeit a staggering $4,918,603.36, a sum that reflects the scope of their operation.
The evidence presented at trial revealed that Green and Hebble conspired to distribute controlled substances at their pharmacy from 2009 to October 6, 2011. The pair, neither of whom was a licensed pharmacist, worked with others to possess and distribute oxycodone and alprazolam, often filling prescriptions that had not been issued for legitimate medical purposes.
Green and Hebble attempted to appeal their convictions, arguing that the evidence was insufficient and that Hebble was too minimally involved to be held accountable. However, the Eleventh Circuit rejected these arguments, affirming the jury’s decision to convict the pair.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, which includes the Naples Police Department, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, and other local law enforcement agencies. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Yolande G. Viacava and Robert P. Barclift, with Senior Litigation Counsel Karin B. Hoppmann and Assistant United States Attorney Cherie Krigsman handling the appeal.
Related Federal Cases
- Deena Williams, Conspiracy to Possess Methylone with Intent to Distribute, Florida 2015 · Florida
- Glenn D. Stewart, Conspiracy, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Florida 2016 · Florida
- Maikel Vigil Gallardo, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Florida 2024 · Florida
- Antonio Chandler, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Florida 2024 · Florida
- Patrice Jackson, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Florida 2016 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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