Former Des Moines Dentist Sentenced to Prison for Unlawfully Obtaining Hydrocodone and Firearm Offenses

DES MOINES, Iowa – On February 2, 2018, Shawn Michael Kerby, 39, formerly of Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 20 months in prison for obtaining hydrocodone by misrepresentation and being a user and addict of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Kerby was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine.

According to the plea agreement, Kerby practiced dentistry 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 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 dental practices. Kerby was found in possession of a Beretta handgun, a Heckler & Koch handgun, a Smith & Wesson snub-nose .38 caliber revolver, a Browning Arms shotgun, two Benelli shotguns, and a Herington/Richardson shotgun. Kerby had been abusing hydrocodone while in possession of the firearms.

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