El Paso Area Doctor Indicted On Federal Drug Charges
EL PASO, Texas - A local physician faces federal drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Drug Enforcement (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve A. Borak, El Paso Division.
A 12-count federal grand jury indictment returned last week charges 66-year-old Dr. Thomas Glenn Easter, II, and his co-defendant, 28-year-old Elizabeth Lightfoot of El Paso, with two counts of conspiracy to distribute Xanax and other controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice.
Dr. Easter is charged with an additional 10 counts of distributing Xanax and other controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice. Authorities allege that Dr. Easter, with assistance from Ms. Lightfoot, was responsible for doling out numerous prescriptions involving a variety of medications in exchange for favors.
“Prescription drug abuse has become increasingly prevalent in the community,” stated United States Attorney John F. Bash. “We are going to crack down hard on licensed medical professionals who violate federal law - not to mention their professional obligations - in illegally dispensing controlled substances.”
Upon conviction, each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison. Both defendants are currently out on bond.
“Dr. Thomas Glenn Easter, II, and his co-defendant Elizabeth Lightfoot contributed to the controlled substance abuse epidemic plaguing our society,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve Borak. “Their conduct put lives at risk and won’t be tolerated. DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue those who seek to perpetuate and profit from the diversion of prescription drugs.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad in El Paso along with Texas Department of Public Safety conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Rose Whyte is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. -
