Martinsville Doc Sentenced to 40 Years for Drug Dealing

ABINGDON, Va. – Martinsville’s Dr. Joel Smithers, 42, was handed a 40-year federal prison term after being found guilty of more than 450 counts of drug trafficking and illegal prescription practices.

The sentence comes following a three-week jury trial in December 2024, where Smithers was convicted on one count of maintaining a place for illegal substance distribution and 466 counts of illegally prescribing Schedule II controlled substances.

‘This defendant’s actions betrayed his oath to patients, community, and the healthcare system,’ said Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci. ‘Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of these crimes and the destruction wrought by the opioid epidemic in our communities, fueled by Dr. Smithers’ flagrant misconduct.’

Christopher C. Goumenis, DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge, emphasized the severity of the crime, stating that Smithers operated as a drug dealer with a prescription pad, pocketing hundreds of thousands in cash and credit card payments.

Smithers’ office distributed over 500,000 Schedule II controlled substances, including oxymorphone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and fentanyl. Many patients traveled long distances to obtain prescriptions from Smithers, who did not accept insurance. He amassed over $700,000 before his arrest in March 2017.

The DEA revoked Dr. Smithers’ registration following his initial conviction in 2019, but a new trial was ordered after the Supreme Court changed the law on jury instructions for similar cases. The court found Smithers obstructed justice and was a leader of criminal activity from August 2015 to August 2017.

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