The devastating effects of the opioid crisis continue to plague communities across the nation, and in Michigan, a Southfield man has been held accountable for his role in illegally distributing over 90,000 opioid doses at a medical clinic.
Lavar Carter, 45, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his involvement in the scheme, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Carter initially became involved in the scheme as a patient recruiter, using family members and individuals he encountered at soup kitchens to obtain information that was used to fill medically unnecessary opioid prescriptions.
He eventually became employed at New Vision Rehab Center, where he provided physicians with lists of patient names and identification that he knew were used to issue and fill medically unnecessary prescriptions. Carter and others exchanged the prescriptions for cash.
Carter participated in the conspiracy between May 2019 and June 2020, according to court records. His actions were made even worse because, while released on bond in this case, he was surveilled by law enforcement agents working at another pain clinic to assist in the illegal distribution of more opioids.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG, worked to bring Carter to justice, citing his role in profiting from the suffering of vulnerable populations.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Regina R. McCullough and Philip A. Ross as part of the district’s efforts to address the nation’s opioid crisis. The Eastern District of Michigan is one of twelve districts included in the Attorney General’s Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection initiative.
Defendant: Lavar Carter
Criminal Charges: Distributing over 90,000 opioid doses at a medical clinic
City and State: Southfield, Michigan
Exact Date: Not specified in the source
Sentence or Outcome: Seven years in federal prison
Amount of Opioids Distributed: Over 90,000 doses
Related Federal Cases
- McKesson, Opioid Distribution Ignored, Washington 2023 · Maryland
- Anthony Conrardy, Oxycodone Distribution, Michigan 2023 · Michigan
- Derrick Lee Smith, Public Corruption Scandal, Michigan 2023 · Michigan
- Robert Lamar Payne, Heroin Distribution, Huntington WV, 2014 · Michigan
- Andrea Austin, Heroin Distribution, WV, 2014 · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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