U.S. Department
of Justice
Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Surge Takedown
PENDING CRIMINAL DIVISION CASES
Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Surge Takedown
Latest Updates: On February 27, 2024, defendant Alicia Taylor was sentenced to 3 years probation and a $100 special assessment.
On February 12, 2024, defendant Gregory Madron was dismissed on Count 1 of Conspiracy to Distribute and Dispense Controlled Substances in case number 3:23-CR-80.
Criminal Charges: The Department has announced enforcement actions against defendants across 11 federal districts for their alleged participation in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids and other dangerous narcotics and for health care fraud schemes. The cases listed below have been announced as part of these law enforcement actions.
For more information about the ARPO Surge Takedown and other actions the Department is taking to combat the opioid crisis, please see below:
ARPO Strike Force Takedown, April 17, 2019 Press Release
ARPO Second Strike Force Takedown, September 24, 2019 Press Release
Assistance for those with medical needs who may have been impacted by the ARPO Surge Takedown enforcement actions:
For any patients impacted by the law enforcement actions, DOJ, DEA, HHS-OIG, HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the following five State Departments of Health are deploying federal and state-level strategies to address patient harm and ensure continuity of care. Additional information regarding available treatment programs and where patients can turn for assistance is as follows:
Alabama: The Alabama Department of Mental Health has a dedicated telephone number to connect those affected by the closure. The toll-free substance abuse number is 1-844-307-1760. Information about substance abuse and opioids is available at the following websites:
http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/pharmacy/opioid-and-heroin.html
https://mh.alabama.gov/understanding-the-opioid-crisis/
Florida: If you are in Florida and are suffering with addition you can find help by calling 1-800-662-4357 or by finding local services at https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/samh/get-help.shtml.
Kentucky: If you are in Kentucky and are suffering with addiction you can find help by calling 833-8KY-HELP or logging in at Findhelpnowky.org
Ohio: If you are seeking help in Ohio, please call the OhioMHAS patient helpline, at 1-877-275-6364
New Jersey: If you are seeking help in New Jersey, please call the REACH Helpline at 1-844-732-2465.
Tennessee: If you are seeking help in Tennessee:
- For a referral to addiction treatment services, call the Tennessee REDLINE: 800-889-9789.
- In a mental health crisis, call the Statewide Crisis Line: 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471).
- For help accessing substance abuse or mental health services call the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Helpline: 800-560-5767 or 615-532-6700. This line is staffed Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT.
West Virginia: If you are in West Virginia and are suffering with addiction you can find help by calling 1-844-HELP-4WV or logging in at https://HelpandHopeWV.org
For individuals seeking help in other states, please call 1-800-662-HELP
If you, a family member, friend, or loved one believe you may be a victim in any of these cases or in connection with any charged defendant, you may submit a Victim Impact Statement.
Northern District of Alabama
United States v. Tanya Mentzer – Court Docket Number: 2:19-cr-00214-RDP-SGC
United States v. Celia Lloyd-Turney, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 5:19-cr-00150-LCB-JHE
United States v. Marshall Plotka, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 5:19-mj-00164-SGC
United States v. Christopher Edward Wray – Court Docket Number: 5:19-mj-00163-SGC
United States v. John Cimino and Katherine Barnett – Court Docket Number: 5:19-mj-00165-SGC
Southern District of Florida
United States v. Casey Kelleher – Court Docket Number: 22-CR-80072
Eastern District of Kentucky
United States v. Jay Sadrinia, D.M.D. – Court Docket Number: 2:22-CR-00028-DLB-CJS
United States v. Loey Kousa, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 7:22-CR-00008-REW-EBA
United States v. Kendall Hansen, M.D. – Court Docket Number 2:21-cr-63
United States v. Denver D. Tackett, DMD - Court Docket Number: 3:19-cr-00024-GFVT-MAS
United States v. Mohammed A. H. Mazumder, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 3:19-cr-00023-GFVT-MAS
United States v. Sai P. Gutti, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 3:19-cr-00022-GFVT-MAS
Western District of Kentucky
United States v. Gary Green – Court Docket Number: 3:19-CR-00057-DJH
United States v. Ijaz Mahmood, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 3:19-CR-00059-CHB-CHL
District of New Jersey
United States v. Robert Taffet and Merritt Thomas – Court Docket Number: 1:22-MJ-02023-AMD
Southern District of Ohio
United States v. Eskender Getachew, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 2:22-CR-00068-MHW
United States v. Charles Kistler, D.O. – Court Docket Number: 2:22-CR-00067-ALM
United States v. Troy Balgo – Court Docket Number: 2:19-CR-00197
United States v. Raymond Noschang – Court Docket Number: 1:19-cr-00038-SJD
Unites States v. George Griffin – Court Docket Number 1:19-CR-00112
United States v. Thomas Romano – Court Docket Number: 2:19-CR-00202
United States v. Freeda Flynn – Court Docket Number: 2:19-CR-00208
Eastern District of Tennessee
United States v. Yogeshwar “Garry” Gill – Court Docket Number: 4:22-CR-11
United States v. Harrison Yang – Court Docket Number: 4:19-CR-00015
United States v. Steven Mynatt and David Newman – Court Docket Number: 3:19-CR-00059
United States v. Charles Brooks Jr. – Court Docket Number: 3:19-CR-00051
United States v. Frank McNiel, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 3:19-CR-00170
United States v. Samuel Mcgaha, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 3:19-cr-00169
Middle District of Tennessee
United States v. Contessa Holley – Court Docket Number: 1:22-CR-00003
United States v. Hau T. La – Court Docket Number: 3:22-CR-00163
United States v. Darrel R. Rinehart, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 1:19-CR-00008
United States v. Lawrence J. Valdez – Court Docket Number: 3:19-CR-00092
United States v. Bowdoin G. Smith - Court Docket Number: 2:19-CR-00005
United States v. Timothy C. Abbott – Court Docket Number: 2:19-CR-00004
United States v. John M. Polston – Court Docket Number: 2:19-CR-00006
United States v. Heather L. Marks and Hemal V. Mehta – Court Docket Number: 2:19-CR-00003
Western District of Tennessee
United States v. Thomas Kelly Ballard, III, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 1:19-cr-10042-STA
United States v. Kathryn Nikole Russell – Court Docket Number: 2:19-cr-20078-TLP
United States v. Michael Hellman – Court Docket Number: 2:19-cr-20080-JPM
United States v. Dr. Richard Farmer – Court Docket Number: 2:19-cr-20075-TLP
United States v.James Litton – Court Docket Number: 2:19-cr-20083-SHL
Northern District of West Virginia
United States v. Chad H. Poage, D.O. – Court Docket Number: 1:19-CR-00024
Southern District of West Virginia
United Sates v. Ricky L. Houdersheldt, D.O. – Court Docket Number: 3:19-00239
United Sates v. Michael Shramowiat, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 2:19-00240
United Sates v. Sriramloo Kesari, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 2:19-00241
United States v. Frederick De Mesa – Court Docket Number: 1:22-CR-00092
United States v. Marc J. Spelar, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 3:19-CR-00101
Eastern District of Louisiana
United States v. Anil Prasad, M.D. – Court Docket Number: 2:19-cr-00071-JTM-MBN
Presumption of Innocence: It is important to keep in mind that an indictment contains allegations only, and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. That presumption requires both the court and our office to take certain steps to ensure that justice is served.
Crime Victims’ Rights Act and Right to Retain Counsel: The Crime Victims’ Rights Act (18 U.S.C. § 3771) applies only to victims of the counts charged in federal court, and thus individuals may not be able to exercise all of these rights if the crime of which the individual is a victim was not charged. Section 377I(c)(2) of this Act requires that we advise you that you have the right to retain counsel. Although the statute specifically sets forth your right to seek advice of an attorney with regard to your rights under the statute, there is no requirement that you retain counsel. The Government may not recommend any specific counsel, nor can the government (or the court) pay for counsel to represent you. Government attorneys represent the United States.
If you elect to obtain counsel to represent your interests, please have your attorney notify this office in writing at: U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Bond Building, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20530, Attention: Victim Witness Unit; fax: (202) 514-3708; or email: VictimAssistance.fraud@usdoj.gov. If you elect not to retain counsel to represent your interests, you do not need to do anything.
Plea Agreements: Please be aware that many criminal cases are resolved by plea agreement between the Department of Justice and the defendant. You should also know that it is not unusual for a defendant to seek to negotiate a plea agreement shortly before trial is scheduled to begin. Plea agreements can be made at any time and as late as the morning of trial, leaving little or no opportunity to provide notice to you of the date and time of the plea hearing. If the court schedules a plea hearing in this case, we will use our best efforts to notify you of available information as soon as practicable. If you want to inform the prosecutor of your views regarding potential plea agreements, or any other aspect of the case, please call the Victim Assistance Line toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or email us at VictimAssistance.fraud@usdoj.gov, and we will put you in touch with the prosecutor.