Doctor Indicted For Illegal Distribution Of Painkillers

1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Chris Zumpetta-Parr, Public Affairs Specialist

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A West Virginia physician has been indicted on charges that she prescribed prescription painkillers outside the scope of her professional practice.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced that Dr. Tressie M. DUFFY, age 44 of Martinsburg, W. Va., was indicted on 100 felony counts alleging that she aided and abetted the distribution of narcotic controlled substances. The indictment asserts that DUFFY signed blank prescription orders and then allowed employees at her medical practice to issue the prescriptions without being seen by a physician, all in violation of Federal law. DUFFY is alleged to have issued 157 prescriptions for controlled substances to 96 patients outside the course of professional practice.

DUFFY is engaged in the practice of medicine under the business name of “West Virginia Weight and Wellness, Inc.” She was indicted along with Amanda CLARK, age 29 of Martinsburg, an office assistant at West Virginia Weight & Wellness, and Tracie COLBERT, age 33 of Martinsburg, an employee of AIT Laboratories. DUFFY, CLARK, and COLBERT are each alleged to have aided and abetted the distribution of Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Methadone, and Methylphenidate, HCL, all Schedule II controlled substances.

DUFFY and her co-defendants face up to twenty years in prison on each count, along with a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of each defendant. The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Camilletti and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.