Federal Jury Convicts Pinehurst Doctor Of Drug Conspiracy
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Rafael L. Beier, 62, of Kingston, Idaho, was found guilty on May 17, 2016, by a jury on charges of conspiring to distribute oxycodone and hydrocodone, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. The jury also convicted Dr. Beier on 65 distribution counts, including distributing oxycodone to a person under 21. The jury’s verdict came on the second day of its deliberations.
Evidence at trial showed that between 2012 and May 2014, Beier met individuals at bars, parking lots, stores, and in his office, and sold prescriptions for cash. These prescriptions were for the highly addictive controlled substances oxycodone, adderall, and hydrocodone. The jury heard evidence that Beier created false medical charts to explain his illegal drug sales.
During the trial, the jury saw the prescriptions written by Beier, a video of Beier discussing his drug sales with a witness, and an audio recording of a government informant buying a prescription from him in a bathroom stall. Witnesses included co-conspirators who sold pills for Beier, people whose names were used on prescriptions, but were not patients, and a number of people who bought prescriptions from Beier. Several witnesses testified about the substantial negative effect that opioid addiction had on their lives.
Beier faces a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $1,000,000 and at least three years of supervised release on each count of conviction. Beier did not appear to receive the jury’s verdict. A federal arrest warrant was issued.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement (DEA), the Federal Bureau of (FBI), and the North Idaho Violent Crimes Task (NIVCTF).
