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TULSA, Okla. – A Claremore doctor pleaded guilty Monday for writing fake opioid drugs for his own use.
US lawyer Trent Shores announced that Dr. Jeremy David Thomas, 42, was convicted of drug conspiracy in five separate federal cases.
The investigators said that Thomas and five others had started a conspiracy involving drugs with hydrocodone prescriptions. They said that Thomas would write a prescription for more than what was needed and that those involved in the scheme would give Thomas all or some of the pills.
According to the US Attorney's Office, Thomas and his co-conspirators hijacked more than 13,740 doses of hydrocodone tablets over a two-year period – mostly for illegal use by the doctor.
"We must be more aware today than ever of the dangers of opioid addiction. The defendant, Dr. Thomas, risked the lives of his patients by performing approximately 2,500 opioid-influenced surgical procedures. Dr. Thomas exploited the special doctor-patient relationship to feed his addiction. He became a drug dealer hiding behind a medical license. "- US Attorney Trent Shores.
According to the US Attorney's Office, the following people are also involved in these drug-related plots: Jeffrey Lee Koger, 47, of Claremore; Joseph Marcus Jones, 36, from Claremore; Toni Dawn Martin, 49, of Owasso; Shawn Del Martin, 50, from Owasso; and Chad Lee Choat, 46, of Claremore.
Thomas should be sentenced on February 28th. Thomas faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $ 2 million for each count of conspiracy and drug distribution charges.
This case is part of the 2018 national initiative on health care fraud and opioid repression by the Department of Justice and Health and Social Services.
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