Atlanta Doctor and Two Pharmacists Among 13 Sentenced in Pill Mill Operation
Thirteen individuals, including an Atlanta-area gynecologist and two pharmacists, have been sentenced for their involvement in operating a “pill mill” network that supplied large amounts of dangerous prescription drugs to addicts and drug dealers through illegal prescribing and dispensing.
“These individuals showed no regard for the safety and well-being of our community when illegally distributing prescription drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “We are resolute in our efforts to fight the opioid epidemic on all fronts, and licensed professionals who exploit and endanger the public with illicit drug operations for personal greed are no exception and will be held accountable.”
“Pharmaceutical products that are distributed for non-medical reasons can be just as deadly as illicit drugs,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Dr. Mills distributed vast quantities of pharmaceutical products and had total disregard for human life. The moment he decided to illegally distribute drugs, he became nothing more than a drug trafficker.”
Anthony Mills, a licensed gynecologist since 1997, operated a pill mill from his home since at least October 2018. He issued hundreds of prescriptions for controlled substances, such as oxycodone, without conducting medical exams or establishing valid patient relationships. Many prescriptions were issued in the names of individuals he never met, including those who were incarcerated or deceased.
Pharmacist Raphael Ogunsusi filled these illegitimate prescriptions at his pharmacies, Evansmill Pharmacy and Retox Pharmacy. He accepted large cash payments, significantly above market value, and falsified pricing information to disguise his activities. Ogunsusi also required the purchase of additional non-controlled substances as a condition for filling the illegal prescriptions.
The sentenced defendants are:
- Anthony Mills, M.D., 57, Atlanta: 11 years in prison, 3 years supervised release.
- Raphael Ogunsusi, RPh, 71, Conyers: 9 years 7 months in prison, 1 year supervised release.
- Moses Kirigwi, RPh, 32, Atlanta: 90 days in prison, 1 year supervised release (first 3 months in home detention).
- Thomika Riley, 50, McDonough: 6 years 6 months in prison, 3 years supervised release.
- Brittany Tinker, 30, Stonecrest: 6 years 6 months in prison, 3 years supervised release.
- Natalie Jackson, 40, East Point: 4 years 3 months in prison, 2 years supervised release.
- Rogerick Smith, 46, Atlanta: 7 years 8 months in prison, 3 years supervised release.
- Keandre Bates, 31, Decatur: 9 years 2 months in prison, 3 years supervised release.
- Jeana Alston, 43, Atlanta: 3 years 1 month in prison, 2 years supervised release.
- Chafulumisa Lisbon, 33, Atlanta: 9 years 2 months in prison, 3 years supervised release.
- Javon Hamilton, 34, Bluffton, SC: 9 years 2 months in prison, 3 years supervised release.
- Marcena Jordan, 30, Albany: 10 years in prison, 3 years supervised release.
- Travious Polain, 33, Decatur: 5 years 10 months in prison, 3 years supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Rockdale County Sherriff’s Office, Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office, DeKalb County Police Department, DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, Richland County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Department, Saluda County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Office, Sandy Springs Police Department, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, and Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency.
