Jacksonville, Florida – In a shocking verdict, a federal jury has found Scott Andrew Hollington, a 58-year-old doctor from St. Augustine, guilty of 19 counts of drug trafficking and obstruction of justice. The trial, which began in March 2023, revealed a disturbing pattern of illegal prescribing practices by Hollington, who exchanged narcotic prescriptions for sexual favors.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) first learned of Hollington after receiving a tip from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Following additional evidence of Hollington’s illegal prescribing practices, the DEA deployed five undercover agents to Hollington’s addiction clinic, where they obtained 17 prescriptions of schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances during five visits.
Throughout the trial, the evidence showed that Hollington asked the agents about their drug preferences, offered prescriptions without proper medical justification, and admitted that he did not care about urine drug screening results. Physical examinations, vital checks, and proper documentation were omitted during most medical encounters with the undercover agents.
Further evidence revealed that Hollington altered medical notes in each of the undercover agents’ medical files following his indictment, leading to the obstruction convictions. Testimony during the trial included statements from three female victims who revealed that Hollington exchanged, coerced, or solicited sexual favors for prescriptions.
One victim described Hollington as a “monster” who took advantage of her vulnerability while seeking help for addiction. A fourth victim recounted Hollington asking if she needed a “sugar daddy” and engaging in conversation of a sexual nature instead of discussing her medical history and need for medication.
The case was jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Ormond Beach Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and State Attorney’s Office, 7th Judicial Circuit. Hollington faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each of the drug trafficking offenses, and up to 10 years for the obstruction charges.
Hollington was charged in a superseding indictment on March 23, 2023. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. The forfeiture of assets is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.
Defendant: Scott Andrew Hollington
Criminal Charges: 14 counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances not for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice, and 5 counts of obstructing justice
City and State: St. Augustine, Florida
Date: March 23, 2023
Sentence: Up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the drug trafficking offenses, and up to 10 years for the obstruction charges
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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