FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY - February 25, 2009
ROSEBORO DOCTOR FOUND GUILTY BY A JURY FOR CHARGES OF UNLAWFUL DRUG DISTRIBUTION AND RACKETEERING ACTIVITY
RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that a federal jury found PERRY REESE, III, 49, of Roseboro, North Carolina, guilty of two counts of distribution of a controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and one count of racketeering activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(c). A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on April 2, 2008.
REESE, a licensed medical physician operating a medical practice at Roseboro Urgent Care, P.A., illegally distributing controlled drugs, including Oxycodone, Fentanyl, Diazepam, and Alprazolam. According to the evidence presented at trial, from approximately April, 2002, to approximately, April, 2003, REESE, through the operation of his medical office, used two methods to dispense the drugs. First, many of the drug users would come into the doctor’s office and ask someone at the front desk for a prescription of a controlled substance. The person at the front desk would then ask the drug user how many pills they wanted and would provide the price for a prescription of that number of pills. The drug user would then pay the requested price to the person at the front desk. That person would then take the money to REESE. REESE would then write a prescription for the drug user.
The second method of dispensing was similar. In these cases, a drug user would specifically ask to see REESE. The user would then go to the back, provide REESE with money, and REESE would then write a prescription for the desired drug.
From approximately the end of December, 2002, to the beginning of February, 2003, REESE’s medical office was closed and had no physical location. Nonetheless, REESE continued to dispense and distribute quantities of controlled substances during this time period. Drug users would call the defendant and make arrangements to meet him to purchase prescriptions.
“Prescription drug abuse has increased throughout the nation. Prescription drugs serve a very valuable purpose when used properly. However, we rely on medical professionals to dispense prescription drugs wisely, appropriately and legally. I am particularly concerned when a physician steps away from that role, abusing the privilege to authorize the dispensing of prescription drugs. Used unwisely, prescription drugs have the same ill-effects on the human body as well as the community that exist with street drugs. Therefore, we will continue to prosecute the use of illegal drugs, whether it be prescription drugs or street drugs,” stated Mr. Holding.
Attorney General Roy Cooper stated:“Our SBI agents are working hard to crack down on the growing problem of prescription drug fraud, and we’ll continue working closely with federal officials to fight this dangerous trend.”
The maximum penalty REESE faces for the charge of distribution of a controlled substance is not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $1,000,000 and at least five years supervised release following his term of confinement. For the racketeering charge, the maximum penalty is not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, and not more than three years supervised release following the term of imprisonment.
Investigation of the case was conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney David Bragdon served as prosecutor for the government.
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.