Edmund Kemprud, Opioid Pill Mill Operation, California 2023

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, Calif. — Dr. Edmund Kemprud, 78, of Dublin, was convicted today on 14 felony counts of illegally prescribing opioids and other controlled substances, marking the end of a years-long pill mill operation that exploited vulnerable patients and flooded communities with dangerous drugs. The verdict, delivered in federal court in Sacramento, exposes a brazen scheme where medicine gave way to greed.

Kemprud, a licensed physician, ran clinics in the East Bay and Central Valley, including a makeshift office in the back room of a nail salon and medi-spa in Tracy. There, he dispensed Hydrocodone, Alprazolam, and Oxycodone like candy—outside any legitimate medical standard. Patients paid $79 per visit and were in and out in under five minutes, with Kemprud seeing up to 30 in a single day. No medical histories. No proper exams. No concern for the wreckage left behind.

Trial evidence revealed Kemprud knowingly prescribed to addicts and ignored clear signs of drug diversion. He didn’t care if patients lied about symptoms or already had filled multiple prescriptions elsewhere. His focus wasn’t healing—it was churning out scripts to keep the cash flowing. Several pharmacies caught on and instituted companywide blocks on his prescriptions, but Kemprud kept pushing pills regardless.

Undercover officers testified they posed as patients on 14 separate occasions between Sept. 6, 2018, and March 13, 2019. Each time, Kemprud prescribed powerful opioids without a medical basis, failed to assess drug abuse risks, and skipped basic diagnostics. He knew his practice was a sham. He also knew patients kept coming back—because he made sure they would.

“This defendant displayed a blatant disregard for patient safety and the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. “Although he knew his treatment of patients was unlawful, he continued to pump dangerous drugs into the community.” The case was a joint takedown by the DEA Oakland Tactical Diversion Squad, California Department of Justice, Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse Drug Diversion Team, HHS Office of Inspector General, and federal prosecutors.

“Fueled by greed, Edmund Kemprud went from doctor to drug dealer,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon. “His actions not only preyed upon those battling addiction, but also contributed to the ongoing opioid crisis.” California Attorney General Rob Bonta added that when doctors violate their oath to do no harm, especially by fueling addiction, the state must respond. Kemprud now faces decades behind bars when sentenced, a final prescription for a life built on lies.