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Texas Pill Mill Doctor Gets 13 Years for Narcotics Conspiracy
A Texas doctor who ran a series of sham medical clinics as fronts for the illegal distribution of narcotics has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison.
Carlos Luis Venegas, 62, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance following a 5-day trial before U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey in early February.
According to evidence presented at trial, Dr. Venegas oversaw the prescription of nearly a million units of narcotics with no legitimate medical purpose. His clinics operated as ‘pill mills,’ dispensing Hydrocodone and Alprazolam to patients who were often paid to pose as patients seeking pain medication.
U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox said the pill mills perpetuate the opioid crisis, which claimed an average of 116 lives per day in the U.S. last year. ‘We cannot allow unscrupulous conduct by physicians to add to the supply of dangerous drugs on the streets,’ she said.
Several of Dr. Venegas’ codefendants, including nurse practitioners and clinic managers, have previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme. Their sentences include:
Christan Michael Hicks – 70 months
Craig Zahn – 33 months
Leslie Rodriguez – 33 months
Don Broussard – 33 months
Ron Cunningham – 18 months
James Christopher Ware – 135 months
Stanley James – 97 months
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myria Boehm, Renee Hunter, and Nicholas Bunch prosecuting the case.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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