Georgia Pharmacist Sentenced to Federal Prison

A pharmacist who owned and operated Fulghum Pharmacy in Baxley, Ga. was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy that involved health care fraud and illegal distribution of opioids.

Ray Ashley Dixon, R.Ph., 42, of Baxley, Ga., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood after pleading guilty to conspiracy, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. In addition, Dixon will be on supervised release for three years following completion of his prison term.

Dixon distributed opioids, including oxycodone and hydrocodone, to several individuals without a legitimate prescription issued by a physician in the usual course of professional practice. Upon inspection by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Fulghum Pharmacy could not account for more than 10,000 units controlled substances. Dixon, through his pharmacy, also was a major source of opioids for patients of notorious convicted pill-mill operator Dr. Frank Bynes, Jr., distributing in excess of 110,000 units of opioids and other controlled substances during a 15-month period.

In addition to his drug distribution, Dixon created fake prescriptions for expensive medications and then billed insurance programs, including Medicare Part D plans and Medicaid, for those medications, despite the fact that the medications were neither prescribed nor dispensed. According to information presented during the sentencing hearing, Ray Dixon’s fraud amounted to more than $1.8 million over four years, which he will be required to pay back as restitution. Ray Dixon also agreed to forfeit cash, vehicles, and investment accounts as part of his agreement with the government.