News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2008
Contact: Thomas E. Murphy
(314) 538-4660

Illinois Physician Sentenced in Federal Court

APR 21 -- Benton, IL - A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that on April 10, 2008, DR. JOSEPH K. SMITH, age 54, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, was sentenced in the United States District Court in Benton, Illinois. SMITH was sentenced to 5 months imprisonment, fined $100, and placed on 3 years supervised release.

SMITH had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of illegally dispensing a controlled substance (Hydrocodone) outside the scope of his professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose; and three counts of illegally dispensing a controlled substance (Morphine) outside the scope of his professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. SMITH has also voluntarily surrendered his medical license.

The investigation in this case was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration, Health and Human Services, and the Joint Narcotics Unit of the Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.

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