Aiken Doctor Sentenced to Over Fifteen Years for Selling Prescriptions of Oxycodone Without a Legitimate Medical Purpose

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs sentenced Dr. Mackie James Walker, Jr., a former podiatrist of Aiken, South Carolina, to 188 months of incarceration for his role in a conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.  The 188-month term of imprisonment followed sentencing hearings that spanned the course of three days.  Evidence produced during the hearings showed that Dr. Walker sold prescriptions of oxycodone, a powerful and addictive painkiller, to dozens of individuals without any legitimate medical purpose.  Dr. Walker directly communicated with several coconspirators who in turn would recruit individuals for sham medical examinations.  In some circumstances, no examinations were performed prior to Dr. Walker issuing a prescription for oxycodone.  Dr. Walker earned as much as $1000 per prescription of oxycodone. Based on the investigation, Dr. Walker wrote illegal prescriptions in excess of 1 kilogram of oxycodone tablets.  In total, fourteen individuals were charged for their roles in the conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone.

United States Attorney Drake stated, “This doctor sold powerful, addictive narcotics in breach of his responsibility as a physician.  The court’s sentence sends a powerful message to drug dealers with initials behind their name – be they doctor, nurse, or veterinarian.”  

The charges were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tactical Diversion Squad, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, the Aiken Department of Public Safety, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Bureau of Drug Control, the Burnettown Police Department, the Columbia Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

United States Attorney Drake stated that this case represents another example of the fine work being done by Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies working together to combat the opioid epidemic our community is experiencing. 

#####