Dental Assistant Admits Unlawful Prescription Opioid Pain Pills Distribution

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Pennsylvania woman today admitted unlawfully distributing prescription opioid pain medication in the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Nancy Ayres, 45, a/k/a “Nancy Esslinger,” of Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging her with one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute oxycodone. Ayres was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Aug. 27, 2018.

According to the documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Ayres is a dental assistant and has worked in several dental offices in the Philadelphia area and neighboring states. Beginning in at least December 2017, Ayres obtained prescriptions in close proximity to each other for large quantities of oxycodone pills from at least three different medical professionals.

Between April 2018 and June 2018, Ayres allegedly sold 1,044 15- and 20-milligram oxycodone tablets. Ayres made representations that she could obtain other prescription medications for sale, including muscle relaxers and medications for pain management, erectile dysfunction, and anxiety.

The charge of unlawful oxycodone distribution carries a maximum penalty of 20 years of in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for May 20, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson in Newark; and the N.J. Attorney General’s Atlantic City Task Force, under the direction of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina O. Hud of the Criminal Division.

Defense counsel: David Jay Glassman Esq., Marlton, New Jersey