Attorney General Bondi and Partnering Agencies Announce the Arrest of Eight Tampa Bay Area Individuals for Trafficking Prescription Drugs and Racketeering
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that eight Tampa
Bay area individuals were arrested today on charges of Racketeering,
Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering and Conspiracy to Traffic in Opiates.
These individuals were associated with JW Wellness, LLC in Hillsborough
County, or Main Street Medical in Thonotosassa, Fla, which were both
targeted as possible illegal pill mills. The investigation and arrests were
a multi-agency effort consisting of the Tampa Police Department,
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement. These cases will be prosecuted in a joint effort by the Office
of Statewide Prosecution and the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s
Office.
“Today’s arrests should send a clear message that prescription drug
trafficking in Florida will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General Pam
Bondi. “I am grateful to the Tampa Police Department, the Hillsborough
County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office
and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their dedication to
protecting Floridians from prescription drug abuse.”
Those arrested include: Dr. Paul Awa, 59, of Tampa; Wade Leath, 37, of
Tampa; Jason Bliebtrey, 31, currently incarcerated; Evette Cabado, 20, of
Tampa; Edward Smith, 35, of Bradenton; Trevor Mercer, 29, of Bradenton;
Emmanuel Beronez, 26, of Bradenton; and Jeremy Paul, 34, of Bradenton.
JW Wellness operated in Hillsborough County and was prescribing oxycodone
to patients who were presenting fraudulent medical records. Dr. Paul Awa
prescribed patients dangerous amounts and combinations of prescription
narcotics that were not medically necessary and could possibly lead to
respiratory failure and death. Wade Leath was the manager and previous
owner of the clinic who sold the clinic to another doctor in order to have
the clinic physician owned and licensed as a pain management clinic. Mr.
Leath and Evette Cabado allowed patients to present fraudulent medical
records to obtain prescriptions for oxycodone. Others being charged
operated as sponsors and transported potential patients to the clinic.
In addition to the activities regarding JW Wellness, Dr. Awa was also being
investigated for his work at Main Street Medical in Thonotosassa. The
investigation into Main Street Medical was led by Florida Department of Law
Enforcement and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. This investigation
led to a search warrant being executed today at Main Street Medical, where
Dr. Awa was arrested.
Each of the individuals arrested today will be charged with Racketeering,
Conspiracy to Racketeer, and Conspiracy to Traffic in Opiates. Each of
these offenses is punishable by up to 30 years with a 25 year minimum
mandatory for Conspiracy to Traffic. Additional arrests are pending for
the co-conspirators.
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Contact:
Jennifer Krell Davis
Phone: 850.245.0150
jennifer.davis@myfloridalegal.com
