Thread: Feds charge 13 in pill mill, steroid bust

Feds charge 13 in pill mill, steroid bust
South Florida Business Journal

Federal authorities charged 13 people, including five doctors, one pharmacist and one chiropractor, for illegal distribution of painkillers in another big pill mill bust.

The pain clinics shut down by the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida and the Drug Enforcement Administration were in Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties, and also operated through the Internet. They distributed painkillers, such as oxycodone, steroids and human growth hormones, according to the 42-count indictment. Some of the steroids were ordered from China.

“According to the indictment unsealed today, these defendants were involved in a scheme to push dangerous drugs – steroids, human growth hormone and oxycodone – into the hands of buyers who lacked legitimate prescriptions,” said Tony West, assistant attorney general for the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, in a news release. “Sadly, the defendants include physicians who, we allege, were doctors doing harm: ignoring their oaths and obligation to put the health and safety of patients first.”

The doctors charged in the indictment were Pedro Carrillo, of Escondido, Calif.; Jeffrey Perelman, of Fort Lauderdale; Alan Lefkin, of Parkland; Steven Pearlstein, of Coral Springs; and Timothy Sigman, of Sebastian. The other medical professionals charged were chiropractor Craig Beaver, of Lake Worth, and pharmacist Peter DelToro, of Palm City.

Although they were not medical professionals, Richard DelToro, of Port St. Lucie, and Jaclyn Rubino, of Stuart, were indicted for illegal distribution of painkillers, steroids and human growth hormone because they operated Treasure Coast Specialty Pharmacy in Jensen Beach, according to the indictment.

Paul Joyce and Carles Cooke, both from Palm Beach Gardens, plus Donald Montano and Kevin Johnson, both from Jupiter, were also charged with participating in the scheme.

The most serious charges carry up to 20 years in prison.

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