The United States Attorney's Office

DOCTOR AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY TO DISTRIBUTING OXYCONTIN

A physician who maintained an office in Arcadia has agreed to plead guilty to the unlawful distribution of OxyContin. In a plea agreement filed this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles, the doctor admitted writing prescriptions for OxyContin for people she did not examine and who did not need the powerful painkiller.

Monique Williams, 42, who at the time of the alleged offense lived in Los Angeles (90036), was charged earlier this month with the drug trafficking offense. Today, federal prosecutors filed a plea agreement in which she agreed to plead guilty to a one-count information, admitting that she wrote prescriptions for patients she never saw in exchange for cash.

According to the plea agreement, Williams intentionally issued prescriptions and dispensed controlled substances, primarily oxycodone, without conducting medical examinations and with no legitimate medical purpose. Oxycodone, sold under the brand name OxyContin, is a prescription painkiller used to treat moderate to high levels of pain. In the plea agreement, Williams admits selling prescriptions and the narcotics for as much as $25 per pill.

“Non-medical use of addictive prescription drugs has been increasing throughout the United States at alarming rates,” said Timothy J. Landrum, DEA Special Agent in Charge. “Many obtain these dangerous controlled substances from rogue doctors operating as drug traffickers. It is unfortunate that someone would abuse her position of trust to prey on our communities and those who are vulnerable to the abuse of these drugs.”

Williams’ California license to practice medicine and her DEA registration have been suspended.

Williams is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday for an arraignment.

As a result of the anticipated guilty plea, Williams faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Medical Board of California.

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Release No. 08-146
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