Oxycodone Doc Gets 100 Months

Salt Lake City, UT – Dr. Simmon Lee Wilcox, a 60-year-old Las Vegas doctor, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for his role in distributing oxycodone.

U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart imposed the sentence on Monday morning, following a trial in January where Wilcox was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and distribution of oxycodone.

According to evidence presented during the trial, Wilcox wrote approximately 618 prescriptions for oxycodone between July 2010 and March 2013, resulting in the diversion of about 81,000 30-milligram pills for non-medical purposes.

Wilcox used false identifications to write hundreds of prescriptions, which were filled at various pharmacies in Utah and Nevada. The pills were then either sold or used by those who possessed them.

Five co-conspirators in the case have previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Among them are Benjamin David Grisel, who was sentenced to 48 months in prison, and Randall David Ayrton, who is serving a 36-month sentence.

U.S. Attorney John W. Huber highlighted the tragic effects of oxycodone abuse in Utah, noting that six people die each week in the state due to prescription opioid overdoses. Huber also emphasized the need to attack the heroin and opioid problem, which has seen a significant increase in seizures in the state.

The case was investigated by DEA drug diversion investigators, who highlighted the seriousness of the conduct involved in the case. Dr. Wilcox will self-surrender in August to begin serving his prison sentence, and will be on supervised release for 36 months upon completion of his sentence.

The 81,000 oxycodone pills distributed by Wilcox are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of prescription opioid abuse in Utah. As the state continues to grapple with the heroin and opioid tsunami, it is clear that those who abuse their positions of trust, like Dr. Wilcox, must be held accountable for their actions.