DETROIT – A Shelby Township physician, Lawrence Mark Sherman, 75, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in an illegal opioid distribution ring worth over $6.3 million. Sherman was convicted following a jury trial on 20 charges related to the unlawful diversion of prescription drugs, U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.
Joining Ison were Special Agent in Charge Cheyvorea Gibson of the FBI and Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto of the HHS-OIG Chicago Regional Office. Sherman was part-time at Tranquility Wellness Center, Inc., where he prescribed addictive opioids like Oxycodone and Percocet without legitimate medical need.
Federal agents executed search warrants against Sherman and the clinic in June 2021, leading to guilty pleas from Janeice Burrell, Angelo Smith, Akeyla Bell, and Peter Burrell. The evidence showed Sherman authorized over 3,000 opioid prescriptions for non-existent patients, accepting cash payments.
During his trial, the jury heard that Sherman issued more than 270,000 dosage units of Schedule II opioids with a street value exceeding $6.3 million. Billings to Medicare and Medicaid programs topped $500,000 for unnecessary medications.
Ison emphasized the office’s commitment to combating illegal opioid prescriptions, stating, “Health care professionals have both an opportunity and a duty to help address the terrible impact the opioid epidemic has had on our community.” Gibson highlighted the FBI’s dedication to investigating healthcare fraud and holding those who exploit their positions accountable.
Related Federal Cases
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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