Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jun 2002
Source: Fayetteville Observer-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Fayetteville Observer-Times
Contact:  http://www.fayettevillenc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150
Author: Deuce Niven
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (Oxycontin)

ARRESTS MADE IN PRESCRIPTION-FRAUD CASE

Medicaid Cards Used To Obtain Medication For Resale, Authorities Say

WHITEVILLE -- Columbus County lawmen said Thursday they have broken up a 
ring that had taxpayers paying for illegal prescriptions, which were then sold.

Sheriff Jimmy Ferguson said warrants have been issued against 32 people. By 
late afternoon, 23 warrants had been served.

"What we have here," Ferguson said, "are people buying Medicaid cards from 
Medicaid recipients, then turning around and forging prescriptions and 
taking the prescriptions and Medicaid cards to a pharmacy and getting 
thousands of dollars of prescriptions filled -- primarily OxyContin."

Some were accused of receiving bottles of the powerful prescription 
painkiller OxyContin worth as much as $700, paying only the $3 co-payment 
required by Medicaid, then reselling the drugs on the street, Detective 
Gregg Cole said.

"Most drug dealers at least manufacture the product they are selling," 
Ferguson said. "This is different. Taxpayers' money was being used to buy 
drugs."

Ferguson said the investigation originated at the Columbus County 
Department of Social Services, then grew to include his detectives and 
state and federal agents.

Cole said the case may be the first of its kind in the state.

Federal, state and local law enforcement officers gathered at the Law 
Enforcement Center at 8 a.m., and a short time later began picking up 
suspects throughout the county.

Ferguson promised more arrests.

"We're not through with this investigation," Ferguson said. "If you are 
involved in obtaining OxyContin illegally, and especially using Medicaid to 
do it, don't be surprised if there's a knock on your door real soon." There 
were few incidents as the arrests were made Wednesday, and no injuries, 
Ferguson said. One man found hiding in a closet was subdued with pepper 
spray, Ferguson said.

Those charged Wednesday are accused of fraudulently obtaining or assisting 
someone in fraudulently obtaining prescription medication.

Those charged are: Crystal Bailey, 22, of Old Stake Road; Alexandria 
Belton, 27, of Miller Road; Annie R. Dixon, 39, of Miller Road; Christine 
Evans, 47, of Lebanon Church Road; Clara Graham, 45, of Clyde Norris Road; 
Catherine Grate, 34, of Miller Road; David Hedwin, 35, of Shug Norris Road; 
Joyce Hemingway, 39, of Chestnut Street; Josephine Johnson, 56, of Yam 
Lane; Willie Johnson Jr., 63, of Jim Jolly Road; Linda Jordan, 49, of 
Miller Road; Beverly Kyle, 40, of Mollie Road; Crystal Lazarus, 33, of West 
Seventh Street; Joseph Miller, 23, of Smith Lane; Joyce Nealey, 49, of 
Ridgeland Acres; Lataya Nealey, 21, of Yam Lane; Devaugh Prince, 30, of 213 
Ray St.; Shonta Shaw, 28, of West Fourth Street; Franklin Vanderhorst, 57, 
of West Sixth Street; Audra Davis, 22, of Tram Road; Gladiola Freeman, 47, 
Old Wilmington Road; Barbara Graham, 45, Tom Sessions Road; and Latreal 
Odom, 23, of Gillard Road.
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