United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Date: March 20, 2013
Contact: Public Information Officer
Number: (313) 234-4310

LEXINGTON, Ky.) - The owner of pain clinics in Georgetown and Dry Ridge, Kentucky, previously indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering offenses, was arraigned March 19th, 2013, on additional federal charges.

According to the new charges, Ernest William Singleton, 44, allegedly bought property, including a home and farm equipment, with proceeds he obtained from drug trafficking. He has been charged with 11 new money laundering related offenses, another drug conspiracy and three counts of distributing and dispensing controlled substances. Specifically, Singleton allegedly conspired to distribute Diazepam and Ultram outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

Singleton previously pled not guilty and his trial remains scheduled for June 3, 2013.

These new allegations were presented in a superseding indictment, which is a charging document that alters charges or information from a previous indictment.  Singleton was previously indicted and remains charged with conspiracies to distribute oxycodone, distributing oxycodone and conspiracy to launder funds.  According to the superseding indictment, Singleton used money he made from illegally distributing and dispensing prescription drugs to buy a house in Willisburg, Kentucky, a boat, farm property, and farm equipment.

In addition to the house, boat and farmland, the U.S. Government is seeking to forfeit six vehicles, 27 firearms, more than 40 pieces of farm equipment, the proceeds of the sale of livestock and hay, and more than $300,000 in cash and bank accounts. These items allegedly either facilitated the crimes or were purchased with proceeds obtained from the charged offenses.

Singleton’s other businesses charged in this case include Double D Holdings, LLC, and S and R Medical Enterprises, LLC which owned Central Kentucky Bariatric and Pain Management, and Central Kentucky Family Pharmacy, of Georgetown. These businesses were previously indicted for either drug and/or money laundering conspiracies along with other related charges.

Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Christopher A. Henry, Special Agent in Charge of IRS, Criminal Investigation Division, Jack Conway, Kentucky Attorney General, and Rodney Brewer, Commissioner of Kentucky State Police, jointly made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and Kentucky State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walker represents the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this case.

Singleton faces up to 20 years in prison for the drug trafficking conspiracy and a maximum of 20 years for the money laundering conspiracy. His businesses are subject to pay fines if convicted. However, any sentences following conviction would be imposed after the Court reviews the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes. -