Twelve Charged in Statewide Pill Mill Investigation
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Miami and Tallahassee Regional Operations Centers, the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor and the Hollywood Police Department announce the arrests of twelve individuals linked to a yearlong statewide pill mill investigation.
The investigation started in May of 2011 and involved organized doctor shopping and drug trafficking in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Authorities allege doctor shoppers worked under the direction of Frank Wooden Sr. of Lake Worth Florida. Wooden, they believe, gathered the pills purchased in South Florida and later transported them to Georgia and north Florida to sell.
Investigators allege the group obtained approximately 19,000 oxycodone pills over the course of the investigation which began when agents were contacted by pharmacies that had received prescriptions from a deceased physician.
Authorities believe that monies from these illegal narcotic sales were laundered by James Wooden through his business, J.W. Auto Sales, in Havana, Fla.
The following individuals have been arrested and are charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering, first-degree money laundering, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud:
Frank Wooden, 57, of Lake Worth, Fla.
James Wooden, 51, of Havana, Fla.
John Wooden, 65, of Albany, Ga.
Janice Cain, 48, of Miami
Phillis Scott, 58, of Miami
Frank Wooden Jr., 36, of Miami
Harriet Johnson, 50, of Miami
Albert Wiggins, 48, of Miami
Zenobia Mercer, 54, of Miami
Sylvester Wooden, 55, of Homestead
A warrant has been issued for Peggy Nealy, 53, of Miami.
Raymond Bowleg, 49, of Miami Gardens was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering and one count of conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone.
The investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated. The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Keith Kameg or Steve Arthur
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001
