Wise Dentist Sentenced On Drug Charges

BIG STONE GAP, VIRGINIA – A dentist from Wise, Virginia, who previously pleaded guilty to illegally possessing and distributing more than 10,000 dosages of hydrocodone, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Big Stone Gap.

In August 2014, Newton Carroll Mullins, 66, of Wise, Va., waived his right to be indicted and pled guilty to a two-count Information charging him with one count of possession with the intent to distribute and distributing hydrocodone and one count of causing the possession of more than 10,000 dosage units of hydrocodone by fraud. Today in District Court he was sentenced to two months of federal incarceration to be followed by four months on home incarceration.

“The abuse of prescription drugs continues to plague communities in Southwest Virginia and across the country,” Acting United States Attorney Anthony P. Giorno said today. “The problem impacts all levels of society and destroys communities. Long-term abuse of prescription drugs often leads to use of other opioids like heroin. We will continue to aggressively combat the abuse of opioids through vigorous enforcement actions and targeted outreach initiatives.”

Mullins previously admitted that between December 2012 and March 2014 he ordered large amounts of hydrocodone from a drug distributor for use by his dental practice. However, Mullins and his friend used the hydrocodone for their personal use. In addition, Mullins admitted to writing prescriptions for hydrocodone to his employees, who would fill the prescriptions and provide the drugs to Mullins.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad. Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer prosecuted the case for the United States.