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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
April 1 , 2009
WICHITA AREA PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST CHARGED WITH UNLAWFULLY DISPENSING PAINKILLERS
WICHITA, KAN. – A physician and a pharmacist who practice in the Wichita area have been indicted on charges of unlawfully dispensing painkillers including Oxycontin, Hydrocodone and Fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Marietta Parker said today.
Lawrence M. Simons, 53, a physician who lives in Goddard, Kan., and Constance L. King, 47, a pharmacist who lives in Wichita, Kan., both are charged with distributing controlled substances outside the bounds of medical practice.
Simons is charged with 36 counts of unlawfully distributing controlled substances. King is charged with seven counts of unlawfully distributing controlled substances.
According to the indictment, in March 2007 King asked a man referred to in the indictment as Herb L. if he would transport a vehicle from Kansas City to Wichita for Simpson. When told what it would cost, King asked Herb L. if he would accept Oxycontin/Oxycodone and Lortab/Hydrocodone instead of cash. He agreed.
Herb L. transported the car and put it into his storage facility in Wichita. Shortly after, King delivered to him written prescriptions for Oxycontin/Oxycodone and Lortab/Hydrocodone. Herb L. never consulted or received treatment from Simons and never had a physician-patient relationship with Simons.
According to the indictment, three other people – Crystal B., Michelle D., and Todd G. – also received prescriptions for controlled substances from Simons without seeing the doctor or being treated by him.
On Aug. 7, 2008, Simons surrendered his DEA registration number and could no longer lawfully dispense or distribute controlled substances.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Unlawful distribution of Schedule II controlled substances (Oxycontin/Oxycodone, Fentanyl): A maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each count.
Unlawful distribution of Schedule III controlled substances (Hydrocodent/Lortab): A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.
As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The complaint filed merely contains allegations of criminal conduct.
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