Former Medical Assistant Sentenced for Oxycodone Conspiracy

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland woman was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for her role in leading a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

“Ms. Edwards was responsible for supplying large amounts of a dangerous opioids for distribution,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.  “She abused the trust of the doctors who employed her, and in doing so, became the pipeline that spread poison in the community. The Eastern District will continue to make the prosecution of opioid related crimes a top priority.”

According to court documents, Louise S. Edwards, 38, was previously employed as a medical assistant at doctor’s offices in Arlington and Alexandria. From 2011 through December 2017, Edwards stole blank prescription pads and electronically-generated fraudulent prescriptions using a medical recordkeeping system to which she had access by virtue of her position as an employee. Edwards had others write or fill the fraudulent prescriptions and return the full bottles to her. Edwards then sold the full bottles for further distribution. During the conspiracy, Edwards facilitated the fraudulent filling of at least 353 prescriptions, totaling 42,360 pills of 30 milligram oxycodone.

“Today's sentence serves as a reminder of the responsibility those in the medical profession have in serving the community and a deterrent for anyone thinking about trying to make a buck while fueling the opioid epidemic,” said Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI remains dedicated to working with our partners to stop the flow of illegal opioids into our communities.”

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew A. Anzaldi and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Blanchard prosecuted the case. Former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans provided assistance investigating the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-155.