Claremore Doctor pleads guilty to drug conspiracy

TULSA, Oklahoma –
A Claremore doctor pleaded guilty to having written fraudulent prescriptions for hydrocodone pills to patients, with the understanding that they would give him some of these pills in return.

Jeremy Thomas was convicted of drug conspiracy in five separate cases, according to US lawyer Trent Shores. He was employed as an orthopedic surgeon at the time, according to the records.

He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and $ 2 million fine for each charge.

"The defendant, Dr. Thomas, risked the lives of his patients by performing approximately 2,500 surgeries while in detention, while Dr. Thomas exploited the special doctor-patient relationship to fuel his addiction and became a drug trafficker. drug hidden behind a medical license, "said US lawyer Trent Shores.

Thomas and his patients hijacked more than 13,000 opioids. pills for a period of two years, says a press release.

His former patients, Jeffrey Lee Koger, 47, of Claremore; Joseph Marcus Jones, 36, from Claremore; Toni Dawn Martin, 49, of Owbado; Shawn Del Martin, 50, from Owbado; and Chad Lee Choat, 46, of Claremore.

Thomas should be sentenced on February 28, 2019.