Operation Chasing Oxy Dismantles Hampton Roads Oxycodone Ring

NORFOLK, Va. – Nine local men and women have pleaded guilty for their respective roles in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain and sell approximately 9,000 oxycodone pills in Hampton Roads.

“Prosecuting opioid related crimes is one of our top priorities,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The resources and collaborative efforts used to investigate and prosecute this case are proof positive of the impact of federal, state, and local cooperation. The Eastern District will remain steadfast in its pursuit of those who spread this poison in our communities.”

According to court documents, from February to September 2017, Deonte Farrow and Quentia Fields led a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain Oxycodone pills from various pharmacies in the Hampton Roads area for the purpose of selling the pills on the streets for a profit. Farrow and Fields manufactured and drafted prescriptions for Oxycodone pills from their home computers and printers, using the name and DEA registration numbers of real physicians, without the physician’s knowledge. Farrow and Fields then worked with co-conspirators, Harvey Williams, Lucion Liles and Quanisha Platt, to recruit individuals to serve as runners, such as Tynasia Smith, Travis Smith, Juan Ramirez, and Tykeiah Benn, who would take the prescriptions to various pharmacies in the Tidewater area to be filled. Platt, who had worked in several pharmacies, knew how to draft a prescription so that it looked legitimate to a pharmacy. The runners either were paid in money or given a quantity of the Oxycodone pills for their services. The listed patient on the written prescriptions were either the name of a co-conspirator or the name of some other real person, sometimes without that person’s knowledge. In total, approximately 20 physicians’ names and DEA registration numbers were used on the fraudulent prescriptions without the doctor’s knowledge.

“The drug dealing activities of Farrow and Fields have caused direct harm in the Tidewater community,” Scott W. Hoernke, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division. Harm to those to whom they were dealing as well as to the reputations of those whose names were fraudulently used. All of this was done strictly for the Farrow Drug Trafficking Organization’s greed. By arresting Farrow and his drug dealing associates, investigators have been able to ensure that thousands of diverted pharmaceutical drugs are not being released on the street.

This investigation was conducted by the Richmond Tactical Diversion Squad, in cooperation with the Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach Police Departments, and the Virginia State Police.   

Each defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obtain oxycodone by fraud and to distribute oxycodone. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Scott W. Hoernke, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney William D. Muhr is prosecuting 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. 2:18-cr-15.