Former Des Moines Dentist Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm Charges

DES MOINES, IA – On July, 19, 2017, Shawn Michael Kerby, 38, of Des Moines, Iowa, pleaded guilty in United States District Court to one count of obtaining hydrocodone by misrepresentation and one count of being a user and addict of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Kerby faces a maximum of four years and ten years in prison, respectively, on each charge. Sentencing is scheduled for November 17, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. before Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey.

According to the plea agreement, Kerby practiced dentistry in the Southern District of Iowa at two dental clinics, Kerby Family Dentistry and Bright Smiles Family Dental. Kerby admitted he was addicted to opiates, including hydrocodone. Through his dental practices, Kerby prescribed hydrocodone to patients, even though there was no medical need. He then arranged for these patients to provide the hydrocodone pills back to him after the patient filled the prescription at a local pharmacy.

On December 1, 2015, law enforcement executed search warrants at Kerby’s residence and practices. Kerby was found in possession of a Beretta handgun, a Heckler & Koch handgun, a Smith & Wesson snub-nose 38, a Browning Arms shotgun, two Benelli shotguns, and a Herington/Richardson shotgun. Kerby had been abusing hydrocodone, to which he was addicted, up through the preceding day.

This investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.