News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2003

Pharamcist And Dentist Charged In Narcotics Conspiracy

GREENBELT, Maryland - Thomas M. DiBiagio, United States Attorney for the District of Marvland, announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Beverly Wheatley, age 51, a dentist from Camp Springs, Maryland, and Emmanuel Thad Ereme, age 42, a pharmacist doing business as Hremt Pharmacy, located on Silver Hill Road, District Heights, Maryland, for crimes committed in connection with conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet) Hydromorphone (commonly known as Dilaudid), and Dolophine (commonly known as Methadone).

The five count indictment charges the defendants with engaging in a conspiracy to distribute the, drugs by issuing, presenting and filing fraudulent and stolen medical prescriptions. Ereme is also charged with four counts of distributing of Oxycodone. The indictment further seeks forfeiture from Ereme of up to $500'000.

The maximum penalty for each count is 20 years imprisonment, a $1 million fine and supervised release of at least 3 years.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some, later criminal proceedings.

This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Prince George's County Police Department, and the United States Attomey's Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra Wilkinson and Bryan Forman.