A Baltimore doctor’s lucrative ‘pill mill’ operation has been dismantled, and he’s facing the music.
Ronald Clarence Kearney, 63, a physician from Baltimore, Maryland, has been convicted of running a large-scale opioid trafficking operation that brought in over $1 million in illicit profits.
According to court documents, Kearney’s scheme involved writing thousands of fake prescriptions for highly addictive opioids, which were then sold on the black market.
The scheme was uncovered by federal authorities, who launched an investigation into Kearney’s practice after receiving tips from concerned patients and medical professionals.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Kearney’s brazen scheme, including testimony from former employees who described the doctor’s ‘assembly-line’ prescription-writing process.
Kearney’s attorneys, Hollis Raphael Weisman and Andrew R Szekely, attempted to paint their client as a well-intentioned physician who was merely ‘overwhelmed’ by patient demand.
However, the jury saw through the defense’s spin, delivering a guilty verdict on charges of opioid trafficking and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Kearney’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 24, at which time he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by rogue medical professionals who prioritize profits over patient well-being.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said, ‘Today’s verdict sends a clear message that we will hold accountable those who exploit the opioid crisis for personal gain.’
The investigation was led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Maryland Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Baltimore Police Department.
Related Federal Cases
- Ahmad ‘Jimmy’ Hashimi Gets 25 Years for Kidnapping, Drug Empire · Maryland
- Kearney Busted in Major Narcotics Ring · Maryland
- Ex-Con Busted: Feds Allege Repeat Offender Back to Old Tricks · Maryland
- Rite Aid Hit with $5 Mil Fine for Controlled Substances Violations! · Alabama
- Medicaid Scam: St. Louis Woman Pleads Guilty · Maryland
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Federal Court
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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