Investigation Into Out-Of-State ‘Doctor Shopping’ Nets 34 Arrest Warrants

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Posted: 6:34 PM Nov 8, 2007
Last Updated: 6:34 PM Nov 8, 2007
Reporter: Jeff Gould
Email Address: jeff.gould@wymtnews.com

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PRESTONSBURG – An ongoing investigation into the illegal purchase of prescription medications has resulted in 34 arrest warrants by Operation UNITE.

Nearly all of cases involved the unlawful procurement of a controlled substance – also known as “doctor shopping” – by fraudulently getting medication from doctors in Kentucky and at least two other states, said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director for UNITE, adding “several of those being arrested today will likely face drug trafficking charges.”

“Detectives in our Big Sandy Drug Task Force have been working on this case with other agencies since the latter part of 2004,” Smoot said. “The more cases that developed, the larger this investigation grew. Many of these individuals are connected to an ongoing federal investigation by the Kentucky State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration.”

A law enforcement round-up of the UNITE suspects was held Thursday, November 8, in Floyd and Johnson counties.

“Thursday’s enforcement effort will not be the last,” Smoot said. “We expect additional arrests in other counties in the near future.”

UNITE’s cases primarily involved individuals who were obtaining drugs for their own use, noted Iain Dalrymple, manager of the Big Sandy Drug Task Force.

“Our investigation identified approximately 180 people from five counties -- Floyd, Knott, Johnson, Martin and Pike -- who were traveling to either Philadelphia or Ohio for a doctor’s visit,” Dalrymple said. “While there is nothing illegal about seeing an out-of-state doctor, those we’re arresting today would return to Kentucky and visit a local doctor with the same complaints and receive prescriptions for additional pills.”

“Doctors here in Kentucky were actually the victims because they didn’t know these people were seeing another doctor,” Dalrymple said. “These individuals were obtaining between 80 and 200 pills each month.”

Prescriptions for Hydrocodone and Methadone were the most common, although Valium and Xanax pills were also obtained, Smoot said. “More than 50,000 Methadone tablets alone ended up in Eastern Kentucky from Philadelphia.”

Assisting UNITE detectives Thursday were law enforcement officers from the Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Prestonsburg Police Department, City of Martin Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Paintsville Police Department and Kentucky Bureau of Investigation.

As of 3:30 p.m. 18 people had been arrested, including two fugitives from previous roundups, and lodged in either the Floyd County or Johnson County detention centers. They are:

• Bennett Blankenship, age 45, Highway 3380, Teaberry (Floyd County), 2 counts unauthorized procurement.

• Eugene Caudill, age 43, Jacks Creek, Bypro (Floyd County), 8 counts unauthorized procurement.

• Alta Chapman, age 50, Cow Hollow, Drift (Floyd County), 4 counts unauthorized procurement.

• Wayne Collins, age 54, Route 550, Eastern (Floyd County), 1 count unauthorized procurement.

• Larry Goble, age 53, Corn Fork, Prestonsburg (Floyd County), 3 counts unauthorized procurement.

• Jeanette Hoover, age 48, Chaffins Branch, Garrett (Floyd County), 2 counts unauthorized procurement.

• Patsy Hoover, age 35, Goose Creek Road, Eastern (Floyd County), 1 count unauthorized procurement.

• Joey Luster, age 33, Poplar Street, Harold (Floyd County), 3 counts unauthorized procurement.

• Ervin Marsillet Jr., age 57, Otis Hays Branch, Flat Gap (Johnson County), 1 count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and 3 counts unauthorized procurement.

• Jim Marsillett III, age 32, Otis Hays Branch, Flat Gap (Johnson County), 1 count unauthorized procurement.

• Frank Newsome, age 46, Mayo Court, Prestonsburg (Floyd County), 2 counts unauthorized procurement.

• James Osborne, age 43, Highland Avenue, Prestonsburg (Floyd County), 13 counts unauthorized procurement.

• David Ousley, age 42, Pineview Motor Court, Paintsville (Floyd County), 8 counts unauthorized procurement.

• Tracy Patrick, age 36, Floyd County Detention Center, 4 counts unauthorized procurement.

• Gary Slone, age 55, Dotson Lane, Prestonsburg (Floyd County), 1 count unauthorized procurement.

• Michael Turner, age 54, Cow Hollow, Drift (Floyd County), 1 count unauthorized procurement.

Fugitives

• Kevin Coburn, age 23, Caney Fork Road, Martin (Floyd County), 1 count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Douglas Thomas, age 29, Lackey (Floyd County), 1 count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

For more information about Operation UNITE visit their website at www.operationunite.org.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: OOHMYBACC Location: HOPKINSVILLE KY on Oct 9, 2008 at 10:26 PM
I THINK THAT THESES PEOPLE DIDNT FORCE THEIR DOCTORS 2 WRITE THESES MEDS.IF THE DOC GIVES IT WHY NOT TAKE IT!I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE 2 OR 3 DOCS THAT WRITE NARCOTICS TO THEM AND THE DOCTOR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT BEFOREHAND.I SUFFER FROM BAD PAIN AND ON A BAD DAY I CAN TAKE 10-15 LORTABS EASY.SO REALLY 90 OR 120 ISNT ENOUGH FOR 1 MONTH.PLUS EVERYONE KNOWS HOW THE TOLERENCE LEVEL CHANGES OVER TIME SO WHEN THEY GET U STARTED ON THEM THEY SHOULD BE PREPARED TO EITHER UP THE DOSE OR KNOW WE WILL GET 2 DOCTORS.IF U GET CAUGHT SELLING THEM IS ONE THING BUT GOING TO GET MORE MEDS SHOULD BE ON THE DOCS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE FOR EVEN PUTTING US ON THEM.ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY .THE PHARM COMP GETS THEIRS THE DOCS STILL GETS THEIRS THEN THE POLICE GETS THEIRS WHEN THEY BUST YOU.AND WHY DONT THEY EVER TELL ABOUT THE POSITIVE THAT COMES FROM THESE PILLS.IF IT WERE UP 2 ME ID PUT PERCOCET AND LORTAB ON THE SHELF BECAUSE JUST REGULAR TYLENOL CAN KILL U IF YOU OVER USE IT.

Posted by: trouble3299 Location: Belfry on Apr 15, 2008 at 04:03 PM
I see so many abuse meds.Young kids.I have had chronic pain for 10 yrs and cannot get addequate treatment for it.It does anger me when this is going on and the truly injured cant get help in their own state.

Posted by: Joe Location: Floyd Co. on Nov 13, 2007 at 08:10 PM
Not to mention I know of two people on the above list and both were selling. That is fact..Doctor shopping is easier to track and verify than dealing is. Most everyone in this area knows whats going on. Perscription drug dealing is RAMPANT in eastern,Ky..One of the worst areas in the nation from what I have read. More oxycotin related deaths than almost anywhere...

Posted by: Joe Location: Floyd Co. on Nov 13, 2007 at 08:00 PM
No the statement is based on past exp in the justice system. The whole reason doctor shopping is iilegal is because of the selling. You dont live here so you dont know how it is. Im right in the middle of it. Ask most of the other folks on here that are from this area and you'll likely get the same answer. Most doctor shoppers are dealers. Ive known several....

Posted by: lisa Location: costa on Nov 13, 2007 at 03:48 PM
People "doctor shop" because drs wont give them enough meds to provide real relief! Just remember, you may be in the same position as these people one day-with chronic pain,and nobody to help you. Instead they will be yelling "Lock em up! Loser! Addict", etc. in YOUR direction. Your self-righteous attitude will come back to bite you in this war on chronic pain. Trust me. All it takes is ONE pharmacist playing cop,and your butt will be in the police blotter for "unauthorized procurement".

Posted by: Joe Blow Location: Idaho on Nov 13, 2007 at 08:33 AM
Joe, If that was the case, then why didn't these cops arrest the suspects on selling the drugs rather than just "doctor shopping". They had three years to build a case, so I'm sure if these doctor shoppers were actually selling the drugs they had acquired, they would have been charged with that. So your statement is solely based on your uniformed opinion and not fact.

Posted by: Joe Location: Floyd Co. on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:09 AM
Theres a simple reason "Doctor shopping" is illegal. Most every doctor shopper gets way over what they need and they sell the rest. Thats why they call it doctor shopping, because one doctor wont give them enought to sell. They are the reason people with real problems are ashamed to say anything.

Posted by: Tjordan Location: USA on Nov 10, 2007 at 06:13 PM
What a pathetic example of exploiting the state's chronic pain sufferers to garner headlines by trying to justify a worthless anti-drug campaign. This is nothing but sheer exploitation of the constitutional rights of individuals seeking their only means of pursuing life, liberty and happiness without suffering in agonizing pain. With all of the real drug problems like meth labs, crack and everything else, you would think there would be enough to keep enforcement busy. But instead, the spineless cowards choose to direct their efforts towards those least physically capable of defending themselves. The task force must be extremely happy with themselves, and you – the media, for your ignorance of the real crisis facing chronic pain sufferers. This witch hunt of yours will no doubt cause a mass exodus of chronic pain sufferers from your state, resulting in millions of dollars a year in tax and investment losses within your local community. I am sure they will have no problem relocating to different states that do not exploit their handicapped and will welcome their tax, employment and investment contributions. In short time, Kentucky will be rid of all those nasty 'criminals' who need a few painkillers each day to lead a semi normal life. Then you can go about your self- righteous lives without the fear that your neighbor took their prescribed dose of medication, while you figure out a way to support your state economy without them. I wonder how many more liberties you will allow your government to take away from you before you realize you have no freedom left at all.

Posted by: Jed Location: KY on Nov 10, 2007 at 05:49 PM
What a pathetic example of exploiting the state's chronic pain sufferers to garner headlines and try to justify a worthless campaign. This is nothing but sheer exploitation of the constitutional rights of individuals seeking their only means to pursuit of life, liberty and happiness without suffering in agonizing pain. With all of the real drug problems like meth labs, crack and everything else, you would think there would be enough to keep enforcement busy. But instead, the spineless cowards choose to direct their efforts towards those physically incapable of offering any resistance. I hope they are proud of themselves, and you – the media, for your ignorance of the real crisis facing chronic pain sufferers. This does it for me. Next week I will give notice to my landlord and arrange a job transfer to another state. My family and I pay thousands a year in taxes and invest the rest of our paychecks in to the local economy. I am sure we will have no problem finding a different state that does not exploit their handicapped, who will be happy to accept our financial contributions to the community via taxes and living expenses. In short time, Kentucky will be rid of all those terrible criminals who need a few painkillers each day to live a semi normal life. You can go about your self- righteous lives and figure out a way to support your state economy without us.

Posted by: Jack Location: Pike County on Nov 10, 2007 at 09:34 AM
Guess what folks, they've decided not to publish the names of those arrested in PIKE COUNTY. The names have been REPRESSED. Just another example of how the system works here in GOOD-OLE- BOYVILLE.

Posted by: Andy on Nov 10, 2007 at 07:48 AM
Did it not say for thier own use.Wheres the crime.Next they will locking up ugly women, and bow legged men.Unite should be called a terrorist org.=More childern taken, more Dads locked up,more guards hired,more familys broken,more low life social workers to pay,more property stole by the state. More untrained burtal cops.More doors knocked down in the middle of the nite.family scared out of thier minds.=What great out fit this Unite is.

Posted by: Flabbergasted Location: Florida on Nov 10, 2007 at 01:09 AM
You guys are a bunch of backward rednecks if you are celebrating the arrest of people whose only crime is that they self-medicate. They are not breaking into your houses. They are not molesting your children. They are not raping your wives. The irony is that most of you are probably republicans who publicly say you want "less government". But it's obvious you enjoy the government dictating to you what doctors to see and what medications to take. The only mistake these people made was that they didn't purchase their meds through the Internet because if that were the case, there is no way the Keystone Kentucy Kops would have nabbed anybody. Hell, as it is right now, they only arrested 34 people in a three-year investigation. Your tax dollars at work. Ignorant red staters.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: prestonsburg on Nov 9, 2007 at 02:12 PM
This is a huge problem here, these people are sick and these doctors keep feeding them pills. Why dont the doctors get in trouble Like in williamson wv? We all know they are DRUG DOCTORS. Untill we stop this how can we help our people???

Posted by: unknown Location: nicholasville ky on Nov 9, 2007 at 01:05 PM
I really think its sad that they arent busting alot more than 34, its every place even here in nicholasville, they are busting the small dealers but hell i could name more than 34 that stand out beside the road and sell all day long and night and never get cought.if they would bust more of the big dealers the small ones would be out.

Posted by: HA HA SCUMBAGS! Location: floyd county on Nov 9, 2007 at 10:30 AM
keep up the good work and get these losers off the streets away from our children!

Posted by: anonymous Location: CT on Nov 9, 2007 at 09:50 AM
Are you all crazy? Your state is so screwed up people who have legitimate pain issues can't get the treatment they need, because your own doctors are running scared. 80 pills a month is not a big deal if you are a chronic pain patient, not around here anyway. Not in most of the country. Personally I'd move if I lived in your state. Treat your pain patients right and perhaps they wouldn't have to cross state borders to live a pain free life.

Posted by: Brenda Location: Eastern, Ky on Nov 9, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Keep up the good work UNITE, your efforts are appreciated by many of us who are sickened by this ongoing problem. The efforts of law enforcement are unfortunatly negated by our judges and prosecutors once these criminals appear in court. I personally know of a case in my county that involved a undercover officer who purchased percocet from a female drug dealer on three seperate occasions for $175.00 each buy, when the woman appeared before the judge she was given a 30 day suspended sentence and fined $300.00. The amounted to a $225.00 profit for breaking the law. We as citizens need to let our court systems know that this is unacceptable. Judges in the state are elected by the people, let us as citizens elect some that will do their jobs and quit blaming law enforcement for the problem. They ARE doing the job they were hired to do.

Posted by: Brenda Location: KY on Nov 9, 2007 at 09:11 AM
When you look at the age of most of the people that where arrested, is it any wonder that many of our young people are involved in drugs, these people are parent and grandparents.

Posted by: Cindy Location: Somerset on Nov 9, 2007 at 07:00 AM
Operation UNITE is a joke. 34 people? After months of investigation. Hell why dont you just ask people we can probably all name 34 people who do that.I thought UNITE would clean up this drug ridden state but if months of investigations lead to 34 arrests its not going to make a difference- just using more of our hard earned money.

Posted by: Unknown Location: Prestonsburg Ky on Nov 8, 2007 at 11:32 PM
I am glad to see that something is finally being done. For those of us who need to see our doctors and get harrassed because of people like these, I am relieved to say the least. I hope that the law officials of Floyd County and the surrounding counties keep up the good work. I would love to see eastern KY regain some dignity!!!

Posted by: Melissa Location: CT on Nov 8, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Methadone is now the #2 Killer Drug in the U.S. Every day 10.9 people die from Methadone (according to 2004 stats, not including car accident deaths caused by drivers under the influence of Methadone) Methadone is more addictive then any other pain medication including heroin and because of it’s extremely long half life, cardio toxic risks, numerous fatal drug interactions, dosages based on tolerance, and small margin of error. Methadone should ONLY be used as a LAST resort in treatment of pain management and addiction. www.HARMD.org

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Floyd County on Nov 8, 2007 at 08:00 PM
Way to go UNITE....There are more...Plenty more.......

Posted by: Concerned Location: Pike Co. on Nov 8, 2007 at 06:53 PM
Hurry and hit pike county again. I can't wait to see the SAME names over and over again. Lock there asses up for GOOD!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 8, 2007 at 06:48 PM
way to go there unite good job i love it. love seeing drugs get off the streets. good job keep up the good work.

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