Physician Pleads Guilty to Illegally Distributing Oxycodone

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Dr. Alan Barnett, 69, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to the two felony counts before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

According to information presented to the Court at the guilty plea, Dr. Barnett, a medical doctor, illegally distributed Oxycodone, a controlled substance. On December 1, 2015, Dr. Barnett was interviewed by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation and surrendered his Drug Enforcement Administration License.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for Dec. 9, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentence, the court released Dr. Barnett on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the Information in this case.