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Press Release

Metairie Doctor Indicted for Illegally Dispensing Oxycodone and Threatening to Kill Law Enforcement

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that SHANNON CHRISTOPHER CEASAR, M.D., age 43, a physician and former co-owner of the now defunct Gulf South Physicians Group in Metairie, was charged today in a two count Indictment related to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and threatening to assault or murder federal law enforcement officers. 

According to the indictment, CEASAR conspired with others to distribute and to dispense, outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, quantities of oxycodone, a Schedule II drug controlled substance.   In addition, CEASAR was charged with threatening to assault and/or murder federal law enforcement officers with the intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with such law enforcement officers while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with the intent to retaliate against such law enforcement on account of the performance of official duties. 

If convicted on the drug charge pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C) and 846, CEASAR will face a maximum of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  If convicted on the threat charge pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 115(a)(1)(B), CEASAR will face a maximum of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and at least 3 years supervised following any term of imprisonment.

CEASAR was arrested by way of a criminal complaint on July 22, 2016.  He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Daniel E. Knowles, III and was ordered detained after a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Karen Wells Roby on July 25, 2016.

U. S. Attorney Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr. reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services OIG, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorneys Shirin Hakimzadeh, Jordan Ginsberg, and Myles Ranier are in charge of the prosecution

Updated September 29, 2016

Topic
Drug Trafficking