PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA/Gray News) – A 72-year-old Florida doctor is accused of running a pill mill and dealing in narcotics and opioids throughout the state.
The investigation began in February 2021 after receiving complaints from several pharmacists about large amounts of oxycodone being prescribed.
Investigators said that Dr. Elaine Sharp allegedly ran a pill mill out of her office in Gulf Breeze and several patients overdosed after taking drugs she prescribed, WALA reported.
Agents also arrested several suspects charged with selling drugs prescribed by Sharp. Most suspects were prescribed 120 oxycodone pills a month with no legitimate medical need, authorities said.
Sharp was arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawfully prescribing for monetary gain, unlawfully prescribing not medically necessary, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone 28 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydrocodone 100 grams or more, and money laundering.
Others arrested and their charges include:
Tammy Zell, 58, Gulf Breeze
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary, doctor shopping
Cheryl Tassin, 63, Milton
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Jessica Michael, 43, Navarre
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone 14 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Kevin McLemore, 37, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Mark Heath, 63, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, healthcare kickback
Jenni Harrell, 48, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Gary Eckard, 60, Pace
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary, doctor shopping
Kristopher Desposito, 22, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Shanna Castleberry, 39, Navarre
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Shawn Winchester, 54, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
Authorities said still at large is Mickey Bowman, 53, of Pensacola, who faces charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary.
The Escambia and Santa Rosa county sheriff’s offices and the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in this case.
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