Pain Clinic Owner Sentenced for Illegally Dispensing Schedule II and Schedule III Controlled Substances

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announces that KENNETH KNIGHT, age 69, was sentenced today pursuant to his plea of guilty to a one count bill of information charging him with conspiring with others to dispense quantities of Schedule II and Schedule III drug controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purposes. 

KNIGHT admitted in a factual basis that he owned and operated the Axcess Medical Clinic in New Orleans.  He acknowledged that during the operation of the clinic, he directed a physician Dr. Barbara Bruce, to write prescriptions that were provided to patients without conducting medical examinations of the patients.  KNIGHT split 50 percent of the profits received with co-conspirator Dr. Bruce through her medical practice.   

KNIGHT was sentenced to 60 months incarceration, a period of supervised release of at least 3 years, and a $15,000.00 fine.  The Honorable Barry W. Ashe sentenced the defendant.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Orleans Field Office Tactical Diversion Squad Task Force consisting of Harahan Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, New Orleans Police Department, Westwego Police Department, Louisiana State Police, New Orleans District Attorney’s Office, and the Internal Revenue Service, Gulfport, Mississippi.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John F. Murphy and Bill McSherry.

*     *     *