Thirteen individuals, including an Atlanta-area gynecologist and two pharmacists, have been sentenced for their involvement in operating a "pill mill" network that supplied addicts and drug dealers with large amounts of prescription drugs through illegal prescribing and dispensing.
“These individuals showed no regard for the safety and well-being of our community when illegally distributing prescription drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “We are resolute in our efforts to fight the opioid epidemic on all fronts, and licensed professionals who exploit and endanger the public with illicit drug operations for personal greed are no exception and will be held accountable.”
“Pharmaceutical products that are distributed for non-medical reasons can be just as deadly as illicit drugs,” stated Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Dr. Mills distributed vast quantities of pharmaceutical products and had total disregard for human life. The moment he decided to illegally distribute drugs, he became nothing more than a drug trafficker.”
Demetrius Hardeman, CI Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation's Atlanta Field Office, commented: “As one of several members of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to work side-by-side with other law enforcement partners to combat organized crime.” He added, “The sentence today signifies the end to an Atlanta area criminal operation. Criminal enterprises are on notice that their illegal activities will be investigated and forwarded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, Anthony Mills was a medical doctor licensed in Georgia since 1997 with a specialty listed as "Gynecology." Since at least October 2018, Dr. Mills operated a pill mill from his home where he issued hundreds of prescriptions for controlled substances such as oxycodone without obtaining prior medical records or conducting physical exams.
A significant number of these illegitimate prescriptions were filled by pharmacist Raphael Ogunsusi through his pharmacies located in Stonecrest and Conyers. Despite knowing Dr. Mills’ prescriptions were illegal, Ogunsusi accepted large cash payments to fill them.
Ogunsusi charged up to $900 for one oxycodone prescription and $500 for Percocet while falsifying pricing information on pharmacy computers to disguise inflated prices. He also required additional purchases known as the “Shebang” as a condition for filling these prescriptions.
U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II sentenced several defendants:
- Anthony Mills, M.D., 57: 11 years in prison; three years supervised release.
- Raphael Ogunsusi, RPh, 71: Nine years seven months in prison; one year supervised release.
- Moses Kirigwi, RPh, 32: 90 days in prison; one year supervised release (three months home detention).
- Thomika Riley, 50: Six years six months in prison; three years supervised release.
- Brittany Tinker, 30: Six years six months in prison; three years supervised release.
- Natalie Jackson, 40: Four years three months in prison; two years supervised release.
- Rogerick Smith, 46: Seven years eight months in prison; three years supervised release.
- Keandre Bates, 31: Nine years two months in prison; three years supervised release.
- Jeana Alston, 43: Three years one month in prison; two years supervised release.
- Chafulumisa Lisbon, 33: Nine years two months in prison; three years supervised release.
- Javon Hamilton, 34: Nine years two months in prison; three years supervised release.
- Marcena Jordan, 30: Ten years in prison; three years supervised release.
- Travious Polain ,33 : Five Years ten Months In Prison ; Three Years Supervised Release .
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including DEA ,IRS Criminal Investigation along with local law enforcement agencies . Assistant U.S Attorneys David A O'Neal & Laurel Boatright Milam prosecuted this case which forms part Of OCDETF program aimed at dismantling high level criminal organizations threatening US security .
For further information please contact USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404)581 -6016 .