A Shelby Township doctor, Dr. Lawrence Sherman, aged 75, has received a 12-year federal prison sentence after being convicted of unlawfully prescribing hundreds of thousands of opioid pills worth over $6 million.
The verdict, delivered by U.S. District Judge Judith Levy this week, follows Sherman’s involvement with Tranquility Wellness Center Inc., where he unlawfully distributed opioids from the spring of 2020 to June 2021.
According to federal prosecutors, Sherman conspired with others to issue more than 3,000 opioid prescriptions to individuals who did not have a genuine medical need for the drugs. The center, initially located in Dearborn and later in St. Clair Shores, allegedly accepted only cash payments and forged medical records for patients.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Sherman dispensed over 270,000 dosage units of Schedule II opioid prescriptions, amounting to over $6.3 million. While these illicit prescriptions were paid for in cash, non-controlled medications were billed to healthcare benefit programs, resulting in billings exceeding $500,000 to Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Prosecutors characterized Sherman’s actions as those of a drug dealer, citing his earnings of nearly $168,000 from the conspiracy. They recommended a sentence of more than 16 years in prison, emphasizing Sherman’s role in exacerbating the opioid crisis.
Sherman’s defense attorney, Summer McKeivier, acknowledged the severity of the offenses but advocated for a three-year prison term. McKeivier underscored Sherman’s decades-long dedication to serving underserved communities and his awareness of the opioid epidemic’s impact.
As a consequence of his convictions, Sherman’s DEA registration will be revoked, preventing him from prescribing controlled substances in the future. While awaiting sentencing, Sherman requested placement in a low-security prison near his home, where he could engage in vocational and rehabilitative programs.
U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison and Cheyvoryea Gibson, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Michigan, denounced Sherman’s actions, emphasizing the harm caused to the community and the betrayal of his medical oath.
Blue & Gold NLR Team is a dedicated journalist at blueandgoldnlr.com, where he provides insightful and up-to-date news coverage. With a passion for uncovering the truth and a commitment to delivering accurate information, Blue & Gold NLR Team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. His work ensures readers stay informed about the latest events and developments.