Mobile, Alabama – Two Doctors Resentenced for Opioid Prescription Fraud and Money Laundering
MOBILE, AL – Xiulu Ruan and John Patrick Couch, both formerly pain management doctors practicing in Mobile, Alabama, were resentenced to 252 months and 240 months, respectively, for their roles in a massive opioid prescription fraud scheme.
The case dates back to 2017, when a jury convicted Ruan and Couch of numerous offenses connected to their former medical practice, Physicians Pain Specialists of Alabama, and their related pharmacy C&R Pharmacy. The jury found that Ruan and Couch committed numerous drug and fraud offenses connected primarily to the unlawful prescribing of powerful opioid medications, including fentanyl.
The jury also convicted Ruan of money laundering offenses related to the schemes. Following the trial, U.S. District Court Judge Callie V.S. Granade sentenced Ruan and Couch to 252 and 240 months, respectively, and ordered the defendants to pay full restitution of nearly $14 million to the victims.
In addition, the United States forfeited millions of dollars in property, vehicles, and cash that Ruan and Couch obtained from their crimes.
The case was returned to Judge Granade for resentencing after the completion of appeals before the Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Although the Eleventh Circuit vacated several of the convictions, the appellate courts affirmed the most substantial charges connected to the fraudulent scheme.
On resentencing, Judge Granade again sentenced Ruan and Couch to 252 and 240 months in prison, respectively. All restitution and forfeiture aspects of the sentence were reimposed as well.
The Eleventh Circuit proceedings on remand from the Supreme Court were handled by AUSA Scott Gray, and the resentencing hearing was handled by AUSAs Scott Gray and Christopher Bodnar, both of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.
Defendant Information:
- Defendant Name: Xiulu Ruan and John Patrick Couch
- Criminal Charges: Fentanyl Prescription Fraud, Money Laundering
- City and State: Mobile, Alabama
- Exact Date: 2017 (arrest and trial date)
- Sentence: 252 months and 240 months in prison
- Dollar Amounts: $14 million in restitution
Related Federal Cases
- Laquanta Grant, Tax Fraud and Identity Theft, Alabama 2010 · Washington
- Daniqua Clark, Mail Stream Theft and COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Return Fraud, Lathrop CA, 2023 · California
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Disability Benefits Fraud, New York 2023 · Alabama
- Jeffrey Phares, Wire Fraud Scheme, Fayetteville WV, 2023 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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