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Las Vegas Physician and Pharmacist Indicted in Oxycodone Distribution Scheme
Las Vegas physician Henri Wetselaar and his assistant David Litwin, along with pharmacist Jason C. Smith, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that they conspired to unlawfully distribute large quantities of oxycodone in and around Las Vegas, NV. Each man is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Wetselaar and Litwin are also charged with eight counts of distribution of oxycodone, and are charged with other crimes related to the illegal distribution scheme. “A large part of our effort to combat unlawful prescription drug trafficking in Nevada has included the targeting and investigation of local physicians and pharmacists who are writing and selling prescriptions that are not being issued for a legitimate medical purpose or in the usual course of professional practice,” stated Daniel G. Bogden, US Attorney for the District of Nevada in a news release. Bogden stated further, “Since January 2010, we have filed federal charges against approximately 70 individuals, including two doctors and a pharmacist, for unlawfully distributing highly addictive prescription painkillers. Our federal and local law enforcement partners are working tirelessly to shut down these dangerous pill mills and pharmacist co-conspirators.” The Department of Justice reports that if convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine on the drug conspiracy and on each drug distribution count. Westelaar and Litwin could face additional prison sentences and fines if convicted of the related charges. Additionally, the government is seeking forfeiture of up to $3.6 million of the defendants' property. The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the Henderson Police Department, and the Nevada Department of Public Safety. It is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Crane M. Pomerantz, Patrick Walsh, J. Gregg Damm, and Christina Silva. More information is available in the Department of Justice news release.
