Physician gets prison time for writing Oxycodone prescriptions to drug dealer

John Terry, MD, of Wellsboro, Pa., was sentenced May 25 to 20 months in federal prison for writing fraudulent prescriptions for Oxycodone, according to the Department of Justice.

In April 2013, Dr. Terry allegedly billed Medicare for Oxycodone prescriptions written in the name of Stephen Heffner, Jr., who was not Dr. Terry's patient. Dr. Terry allegedly wrote the prescriptions in Mr. Heffner's name, knowing the drugs would actually be delivered to another person.

Dr. Terry also wrote prescriptions for Oxycodone and other narcotics for 53-year-old Thomas Ray, in reckless disregard of the fact that the drugs were being diverted and sold on the street. Mr. Ray was sentenced May 25 to 71 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to the DOJ.

In addition to his prison term, Dr. Terry was ordered to pay $4,752 in restitution to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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