Indictment: Manhattan Doctor's Office Manager Unlawfully Distributed Oxycodone

TOPEKA, KAN. – A woman who worked as an office manager for a Manhattan physician has been indicted on federal charges of unlawfully distributing oxycodone, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Sarah Harding-Huffine, 29, Manhattan, Kan., is charged with one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and one count of unlawfully distributing controlled substances. The indictment alleges Harding-Huffine used blank, pre-signed prescription forms to issue prescriptions for oxycodone, a Schedule II pain reliever.

Harding-Huffine worked for Dr. Michael P. Schuster at the New Medical Group PC, New Medical Group, Advisor’s Medical and Manhattan Pain and Spine located at 1135 Westport Drive in Manhattan. Schuster was indicted in May on charges of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and unlawfully distributing controlled substances.

Harding-Huffine was not a licensed health care provider and was not authorized to distribute controlled substances to Schuster’s patients. The indictment alleges she used blank prescription forms signed by Schuster to issue controlled substances. The indictment alleges 31 instances in which Harding-Huffine issued prescriptions for oxycodone while Schuster was out of the office traveling to other countries including Russia, South Africa, Canada, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Israel and Paraguay.

If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each count. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Treadway is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

James A. Greer, 41, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in March and June 2012 in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of distributing child pornography and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the possession charged. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.

Ki Nekyo McClinton, 29, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of failing to register as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The crime is alleged to have occurred in June and July 2013 in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.

Majed Hussein Atieh, a U.S. citizen who resides in the Kingdom of Jordan, 51, is charged with two counts of falsely claiming to be a resident of Leawood, Kan., when purchasing firearms from a store in Kansas. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in December 2011 and October 2012 in
Overland Park, Kan.

If convicted he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting.

Urbano Garcia, 27, is charged with failing to appear for sentencing on a federal drug charge. He was scheduled to appear June 1, 2012, in U.S. District Court in Topeka.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Lucas Villarreal, 22, is charged with failing to appear for sentencing on a federal drug charge. He was scheduled to appear Aug. 29, 2013, for sentencing in U.S. District Court in Topeka.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Donald Lee Cohee, 25, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of failing to register as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The crime is alleged to have occurred from May to August 2013 in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.

Richard Serafin, 44, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 15, 2013, in Cloud County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.