Monroe Doctor Admits Illegally Distributing Prescription Pain Medication

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES W. MARSHALL, JR., 55, of Orange, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances outside the scope of the usual course of professional practice. MARSHALL, a licensed doctor of osteopathic medicine, runs a walk-in clinic, Immediate Medical Care of Monroe.

“Medical care professionals are the first line of defense in stemming the illegal trafficking of prescription narcotics, and the U.S. Attorney’s office together with our law enforcement partners, including the FBI, are committed to prosecuting those who violate federal prescription drug laws,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from November 2006 through January 2010, MARSHALL wrote prescriptions for pain medication, including oxycodone and hydrocodone, for individuals who were not his patients. MARSHALL wrote the prescriptions at the request of a doctor in Bridgeport who MARSHALL knew had previously lost his license to practice medicine. In total, MARSHALL wrote more than 145 prescriptions for more than 4,400 pills to numerous patients, without personally meeting, examining, or consulting with the patients who would receive the prescriptions.

According to the federal sentencing guidelines, the total number of prescription pills illegally distributed by MARSHALL is equivalent to 43.87 kilograms of marijuana.

Judge Underhill has scheduled sentencing for May 20, 2011, at which time MARSHALL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

U.S. Attorney Fein stated that the investigation is ongoing.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.