Judge Gives S. Fla. Pill Mill Owner 15+ Years In Prison
WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4/AP) — The co-owner of four South Florida pain clinics responsible for illegally distributing some 20 million pain pills was slapped with a prison sentence of more than 15 years.
On Friday, Jeffrey George, 31, learned the faith of his actions from Judge Kenneth A. Marrain in West Palm Beach. George and his twin brother Christopher George operated, managed and financed four clinics in Broward and Palm Beach counties. According to authorities, the brothers made $40 million from the illicit sale of oxycodone and other drugs from 2008 to early 2010.
The brothers were among 32 people charged in state and federal court in a sweep dubbed "Operation Oxy Alley." Prosecutors said 28 have pleaded guilty. George, of Wellington, pleaded guilty in October to racketeering conspiracy.
Read More: 32 Indicted In Broward Pill Mill Crackdown
George's sentence also includes three years of supervised release after his sentence is completed.
Additionally, Marc Anthony Naya, 26, of Boynton Beach, was sentenced to nine months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. Jason Leve, 33, of Wellington was sentenced to eight months in prison, to be followed one year of supervised release.
The sentencing hearings are scheduled to continue throughout January and February 2012.
George also pleaded guilty in August to a state charge of second-degree murder involving a 2009 overdose death. He has not yet been sentenced in that case.
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