CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa  – A ninth doctor was sentenced today as a result of an Internet prescription investigation that started in Dubuque, Iowa, and worked its way across the United States. Acting U.S. Attorney Judith Whetstine of the Northern District of Iowa announced that an Illinois physician who illegally prescribed drugs over the Internet was sentenced to over three years in prison today in federal
court in Cedar Rapids.

Michael Millette, 46, of Crystal Lake, Ill., pleaded guilty on July 14, 2006, to conspiring to dispense Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of medical practice. Millette also pleaded guilty to laundering proceeds of his illegal distributions.

During his plea hearing, Millette admitted he prescribed more than 62 million Schedule III and Schedule IV dosage units illegally over the Internet. Millette also admitted he laundered the money he received from the Internet companies that employed him. Millette agreed to forfeit $1.6 million in proceeds he earned working for various Internet companies.

Millette also entered guilty pleas to charges from the Middle District of Florida, where he was charged with a separate drug conspiracy related to the Internet distribution of Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substances. The Florida charges were transferred to the Northern District of Iowa for a consolidated sentencing.

It is illegal for a doctor to prescribe controlled substances unless the prescription is based on a legitimate doctor/patient relationship. Many Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substances — such as Vicodin, Tylenol with Codeine, Xanax and Valium — are addictive and dangerous if abused. Because of these dangers, and the potential for death and serious injury if use of the drugs is not monitored in the confines of a legitimate medical relationship, cracking down on Internet pharmacies and doctors who write prescriptions over the Internet is a Department of Justice priority.

Millette was sentenced on Jan. 11, 2007, in Cedar Rapids by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Millette was sentenced to 41 months in prison. A special assessment of $300 was imposed, and he was ordered to pay $1.6 million in forfeiture. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Millette is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons.

Millette is the ninth doctor to be sentenced in the Northern District of Iowa’s Internet pharmacy investigation.

Thomas Hanny, 69, of South Glastonbury, Conn., received a 33-month prison term Dec. 21, 2006. Hanny was also ordered to forfeit more than $57,000 in drug proceeds.

Mario Alberto Diaz, of Delray, Fla., was sentenced on Nov. 29, 2006, to 30 months in prison. Diaz was ordered to forfeit $272,061 in drug proceeds.

Juan Oscar Gonzalez, of Miami, was sentenced on Oct. 20, 2006, to two years probation, with an eight-month term of home confinement. Gonzalez was ordered to forfeit $17,500 in drug proceeds.

Edward Schwab, of Keithville, La., was sentenced on Sept. 25, 2006, to 22 months in prison. Schwab was ordered to forfeit $500,246 he received in illegal drug proceeds.

Absylom Nyamekye and Apryl McNeil, of New York City, and Carlos Barrera, of Miami, were sentenced on April 17, 2006. Nyamekye and McNeil each received a 20-month term of prison. Barrera received two years probation, with a six- month term of home confinement. Each forfeited their drug proceeds. Nyamekye forfeited $36,286; McNeil $26,960; and Barrera $10,897.

Magaly Bethencourt, of Miami, was sentenced on April 4, 2006, to two years probation, with a six-month term of home confinement. Bethencourt forfeited $7,710 in drug proceeds.

Three other physicians have pleaded guilty to related charges and are pending sentencing in this case:

Steven Klinman, of Elkins Park, Pa., pleaded guilty on Sept. 27, 2006, to illegally prescribing drugs over the Internet and to laundering money. Klinman’s case was transferred to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Klinman will be sentenced on Jan. 12, 2006, in that district.

Jose Crespin, of Surfside, Fla., pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2006, to illegally prescribing drugs over the Internet and to laundering money. As part of a plea agreement, Crespin has forfeited $75,398 in drug proceeds. Crespin’s case was transferred to the Southern District of Florida, where Crespin will be sentenced on Jan. 16, 2007.

Rene Guerra of Miami Lakes, Fla., pleaded guilty on July 14, 2006, to illegally prescribing drugs over the Internet. Guerra will be sentenced on March 1, 2007. As part of a plea agreement, Guerra forfeited $6,000 in drugproceeds.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Rose and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program of the U.S. Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration Office of Diversion Control, Dubuque Drug Task Force and Internal Revenue Service.

CONTACT: Stephanie Rose of U.S. Department of Justice, +1-319-363-6333