Detroit Resident Pleads Guilty to Selling Illegal Prescription Drugs

A Detroit resident has pleaded guilty in federal court in Detroit to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Lamont Pugh, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).

Virginia Dillard, 31, formerly of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman. A federal grand jury in Detroit indicted Dillard and her aunt, Dr. Gwendolyn Washington, in April, 2011, charging them in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

According to the indictment, from February 2010 until March 2011, Dr. Washington would prescribe controlled substances such as OxyContin, Opana ER, and Roxicodone outside the course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose. Dr. Washington would then provide these illegal prescriptions to Dillard who would present the illegal prescriptions at various pharmacies in Highland Park, Warren, Detroit, and elsewhere for filling. Once the prescriptions were filled, Dillard would sell the drugs to individuals, including prescription drug dealers, in exchange for money. Dillard sold each filled prescription in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $2,200. Dr. Washington and Dillard would then share the proceeds.

Dillard faces a statutory maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison on each count and a possible fine of $1,000,000 on each count. Sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2011 at 2 p.m.

The charges arose after an investigation led by agents from the FBI, with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Resnick Cohen.